A top CDC official has warned there is not enough testing for the bird flu among people and animals in the US . While he is wary of pushing the issue and further damaging bonds with farmers, Dr, Nirav Shah would rather be safe than sorry. “We would like to be doing more tests,” the principal deputy director of the CDC said.
“We’d like to be testing particularly not just symptomatic workers, but anyone on a farm who is exposed.” WHO confirms first human case of bird flu in India as new warning issued Bird flu victim's five symptoms before dying of new strain sweeping the US But, Shah said, “right now we want to be in a role where we’re building trust with farms and farm workers.” While the risk for contracting bird flu remains low, risks are elevated for agricultural workers in close contact with animals – and potentially the people around them, the CDC says.
The CDC is “preparing for the possibility” that the virus could evolve to spread more easily among people, according to a report published on Wednesday. Shah encouraged the use of personal protective equipment, however he did not suggest that a vaccine was available yet for H5N1, a highly pathogenic bird flu. US officials announced last week that a third person tested positive – a farm worker in Michigan who worked closely with sick cows.
Unlike the previous two cases, where conjunctivitis – also known as “pink eye” – was the only symptom, this patient reported experiencing respiratory symp.
