The first human case of H5N1, extra generally referred to as avian influenza or hen flu, has been confirmed in Los Angeles County in California, in reference to an grownup who was uncovered to livestock.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health mentioned the one who contracted hen flu had delicate signs, was handled with antivirals and is now recovering at residence.
While that is the primary human case within the county, the general public well being division mentioned the general danger of H5 hen flu to the general public stays low, including that there’s at present no proof of person-to-person unfold of the virus.
Still, those that are in shut contact with the contaminated particular person, in addition to different staff on the worksite, are being monitored for signs and have been supplied testing, antiviral prophylaxis and private protecting gear.
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The CDC mentioned on Wednesday a affected person has been hospitalized with a extreme case of H5N1 an infection in Louisiana. (Reuters/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo)
The case is a part of an ongoing investigation which includes the county public well being division, the California Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“People hardly ever get hen flu, however those that work together with contaminated livestock or wildlife have a larger danger of an infection. This case reminds us to take fundamental precautions to forestall being uncovered,” LA County well being officer Muntu Davis mentioned. “People ought to keep away from unprotected contact with sick or lifeless animals together with cows, poultry, and wild birds; keep away from consuming uncooked or undercooked animal merchandise, similar to uncooked milk; and shield pets and yard poultry from publicity to wild animals.”
Davis additionally inspired the general public to get the seasonal flu vaccine, which he mentioned will help forestall extreme seasonal flu sickness and decrease the chance of getting seasonal and hen flu infections on the similar time if uncovered.
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Colorized transmission electron micrograph of Avian influenza A H5N1 viruses (seen in gold) grown in MDCK cells (seen in inexperienced). (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
Bird flu signs in people embrace eye redness or discharge, fever, cough or issue respiratory, sore throat, muscle aches, diarrhea and vomiting.
The information comes simply days after California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency attributable to hen flu.
Newsom issued the state of emergency after an outbreak of the virus occurred amongst dairy cows in Southern California farms.
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At least two farm staff have been contaminated with H5N1 hen flu this yr. (iStock)
After initially being reported in Texas and Kansas in March, hen flu has been confirmed in cattle throughout 16 U.S. states, because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported.
“This proclamation is a focused motion to make sure authorities businesses have the sources and adaptability they should reply shortly to this outbreak,” Newsom mentioned in a press release.
Also, final week, the primary case of extreme hen flu was confirmed in a human patient in Louisiana, in keeping with the CDC.
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The well being company maintains that “the present public health risk is low,” however mentioned it’s “watching the scenario rigorously.”
Fox News Digital’s Melissa Rudy contributed to this report.
