A third human case of avian flu linked to dairy cows has been detected in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported.
The new case was detected in a farmer in Michigan, who has contact with infected cows.
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The other two U.S. citizens with the virus were also farmers, one from Texas, one also from Michigan. A map shared by the CDC shows where in the U.S. these human cases have been detected.
The virus, H5N1, also known as avian flu, spreads primarily among wild and domestic birds. However, it has also been detected in several mammals and there evidence that its spread is increasing.
As these human cases are associated with an outbreak among dairy cows, there is so far no evidence of human-to-human transmission, and none of the three cases are associated with each other.
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Human cases are rare. However, when they do happen they can be dangerous. According to the CDC, human cases have ranged from no symptoms at all, to severe, with some even resulting in death.
This third case has also brought some new symptoms to light. The Michigan farmer has reported "more typical symptoms of acute respiratory illness associated with influenza virus infection," the CDC reported.
"The patient reported upper respiratory tract symptoms including cough without fever, and eye discomfort with watery discharge. The patient was given antiviral treatment with oseltamivir, is isolating at home, and their symptoms are resolving," the CDC said in a statement. "Household contacts of the patient have not developed symptoms, are being monitored for illness, and have been offered oseltamivir. No other workers at the same farm have reported symptoms, and all staff are being monitored."
Since 2022, bird flu has been found in 200 mammals in the U.S. recently, a study detailed the first-ever case of a bottlenose dolphin in the U.S. Other mammals, such as foxes, bobcats, mountain lions, coyotes, and black and brown bears, have contracted the virus.
The CDC notes that their risk assessment of the virus humans has not changed, because all cases were related to infected cows—the risk to the general public remains low.
However the agency notes that the development underscores the "importance of recommended precautions in people with exposure to infected or potentially infected animals."
"People with close or prolonged, unprotected exposures to infected birds or other animals (including livestock), or to environments contaminated by infected birds or other infected animals, are at greater risk of infection and should take precautions," the CDC said in a statement.
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