On May 22nd the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the second case of H5N1 conjunctivitis in a dairy herd worker. The patient was among 260 workers monitored among affected dairy herds in Michigan.
The virus isolated from the worker is currently undergoing evaluation including attempts at infection of ferrets an animal used as a model in influenza research.
Wastewater testing continues although information on the source of municipal wastewater is inhibiting specific investigations. Most dairy farms process their waste in lagoons on site.
Wastewater surveillance is necessary as a spike in recovery of H5N1 virus could indicate undetected infection in human populations as demonstrated during surveillance for COVID virus.
Monitoring for infection in workers has not been supported by some states. The CDC is taking the lead in implementing field epidemiologic investigations. Recent activities have included:-
- Holding numerous weekly meetings with state and local health departments concerning enhanced preparedness and cooperation
- Updating interim recommendations for worker protection to include those in contact with dairy cows and raw milk
- Issuing Health Alert Notices in the event of identifying human infection with recommendations for a response
- Updating interim recommendations for worker protection in packing plants
- Conducting information sessions with groups representing farmworkers
- Requesting states to provide PPE for farmworkers
- Announcing incentives for workers who participate in public health research efforts into bovine influenza-H5N1
- Requesting the cooperation of states to increase submissions of positive influenza virus samples to public health laboratories for subtyping