Scientists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are facing challenges in investigating a human case of the spreading bird flu, according to a recent report. Although the CDC maintains that the current risk to the general public is low, the situation could escalate.
Published in the New England Journal of Medicine on Friday, the report reveals that CDC epidemiologists were unable to access a Texas dairy farm where a human contracted the virus in March. This hindered their ability to determine how the workers were exposed to the virus on the farm.
The infected workers, who did not disclose their workplace, sought testing at the Texas field office. However, investigators were unable to obtain follow-up samples from them, which could have identified other infected individuals and revealed antibodies fighting the virus.
The report also notes that the infected worker was not wearing protective eye goggles or a face mask, which could have prevented the transmission of the virus. Officials believe the virus was likely transmitted through contaminated hands or droplets from sick cows.
A draft report from the United States Department of Agriculture indicates that the H5N1 virus had been circulating in cows for about four months before its presence was confirmed at the end of March. High concentrations of the virus were found in the raw milk of infected cows, leading to further investigations.
Officials warn that a mutation in the virus carried by wild birds has enabled it to jump to cows, potentially infecting multiple herds as they migrate north.