After a CDC study found some farmworkers tested positive for bird flu antibodies without showing symptoms, officials are urging expanded testing on farms where the virus is present.
JoNel Aleccia reports for The Associated Press.
In short:
- A CDC study of farmworkers in Michigan and Colorado found 7% had bird flu antibodies, with some infected workers unaware of exposure.
- The CDC now advises testing and preventative treatment for farmworkers in close contact with infected animals, even if they have no symptoms.
- Bird flu was recently detected in a pig on a U.S. farm, raising concerns about virus spread and potential mutations.
Key quote:
“It shows yet again that we are not responding effectively to the H5N1 cattle outbreak in humans or animals and if we continue to let this virus spread and jump from species to species, our luck will eventually run out.”
— Angela Rasmussen, virus expert at the University of Saskatchewan
Why this matters:
Human infections from bird flu increase the risk of the virus mutating into more dangerous forms. CDC’s expanded testing could be critical to identifying and containing these infections before the virus spreads further.
Learn more: Bird flu's toll on wildlife and potential risks to humans
