Bird Flu: Fourth Human Case Detected in the US

Facts

• The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed Wednesday that a Colorado dairy worker contracted bird flu connected to the ongoing dairy cow outbreak.¹
• The man worked around cows and tested positive for H5N1 after developing 'eye symptoms,' making him the fourth such confirmed case in the US.²
• The patient, who was reportedly monitored following exposure to infected cattle, was given the antiviral drug oseltamivir and has since recovered.¹
• This comes after CDC scientists warned in mid-June that the highly mutating strain of the avian influenza virus was being detected more in high-risk individuals.³
• It has also been reported that even as the virus is spreading among cattle in the US, the government is struggling to gather data, leaving humans vulnerable.⁴
• Meanwhile, the government is set to pay Moderna $176M to develop a vaccine through the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority.⁵

Sources: ¹ABC News, ²Guardian, ³Medscape, ⁴Politico and ⁵Wired.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by Ft. H5N1 in the US is deeply concerning because its silent spread in cattle could lead to a mutation that presents a huge risk for humans. The presence of viral fragments in the milk supply and the infection of a dairy worker also highlight the need for extreme vigilance. There must be heightened caution and increased testing to prevent a pandemic.
• Narrative B, as provided by Guardian. There's no need to panic about the avian flu's spread in the US. The risk to the general population remains low, as the virus has yet to easily transmit from human to human. The US government is well-prepared, with antiviral treatments and vaccines already stockpiled. This situation is under control.

Predictions