LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Nevada’s first human case of avian flu was confirmed Monday morning. The individual contaminated is a employee at a dairy farm in Churchill County, the Central Nevada Well being District mentioned.
In response to a Monday launch, that is the state’s first and solely case of avian influenza A, also referred to as H5N1, in a human. The dairy employee affected was uncovered to contaminated dairy cattle whereas working.
“The person had conjunctivitis with no other reported symptoms and is recovering,” the discharge said.
Those that had shut contact with the contaminated individual and different staff uncovered on the farm have been contacted and monitored for signs.
The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) considers the general public threat of H5N1 to be low and the discharge said there was at present no proof of individual to individual unfold of the virus.
The discharge did state that whereas the general public threat was low, individuals who work with birds, poultry, or cows, or have leisure publicity to them are at a better threat and mentioned one of the best ways to guard your self and others is to keep away from sources of publicity.
Meaning it’s best to keep away from direct contact with wild chook and different contaminated or suspected to be contaminated animals.
The discharge supplied the next recommendation to defending your self and others from H5N1 an infection:
Don’t contact sick or lifeless animals or their droppings and don’t deliver sick wild animals into your own home.
Preserve your pets away from sick or lifeless animals and their feces.
Don’t eat raw or undercooked meals. Prepare dinner poultry, eggs and different animal merchandise to the right temperature and stop cross-contamination between uncooked and cooked meals.
Keep away from raw meals merchandise corresponding to unpasteurized uncooked milk or cheeses.
In case you work on poultry or dairy farms, discuss to your supplier about getting your seasonal flu vaccination. It is not going to stop an infection with avian influenza viruses, however it may scale back the danger of coinfection with avian and flu viruses.
Report lifeless or sick birds or animals to the USDA Wildlife Providers at (775) 851-4848. Poultry and livestock homeowners ought to report sick or lifeless animals to their veterinarians and the Nevada Division of Agriculture.
The virus was first reported in dairy cows in Nevada in December. It was first detected in dairy cows in Nye County.
There are at present 50,000 cows in Nevada in quarantine throughout 7 herds.
