By Trish Svoboda

The Centers for Disease Control reported that a new case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has emerged in Michigan, marking the second instance linked to an ongoing outbreak affecting dairy cows across multiple states. Like the previous case in Texas, the infected individual works on a dairy farm where the HPAI virus has been detected in cows.

While the person in Michigan tested negative for influenza through a nasal swab, testing of an eye swab at the CDC confirmed influenza A(H5) virus, indicating an eye infection. Despite only reporting eye symptoms, surveillance systems have not detected unusual influenza activity in affected states.

The CDC maintains that the overall human health risk from HPAI in the U.S. remains low but stresses the importance of recommended precautions for individuals exposed to infected animals or environments. Close or prolonged, unprotected contact with infected birds or animals increases the risk of transmission