A Michigan farmer became the third confirmed case of human bird flu last week. (Image: Getty) A leading virologist has issued an urgent health warning as he noted new bird flu symptoms indicate multiplying infections could lead to a "dangerous" outbreak. Federal health officials last week confirmed the third human case of H5N1 after a farmworker in Michigan started experiencing respiratory symptoms.
The development marked a concerning departure from the previous two confirmed cases as the infected individual reported experiencing a cough, sore throat and watery eyes – symptoms that would increase the likelihood of transmission to other humans. Virologist Dr Rick Bright warned the latest case of H5N1 showed that the virus has now reached a "dangerous inflection point", and highlighted health officials's failure to contain the virus earlier on. Writing in The New York Times, the expert said: "The emergence of respiratory symptoms is disconcerting because it indicates a potential shift in how the virus affects humans .
Coughing can spread viruses more easily than eye irritation can. READ MORE: Child tests positive for bird flu as scientists fear disease could spread Dr Bright warned the N5H1 virus had reached a dangerous infection point (Image: Getty) "New symptoms should be expected as the virus continues to spread and adapt to humans. "Yet our response to this looming danger has been woefully inadequate , particularly in the area of testing.
" Bird flu has already made its wa.
