A Michigan dairy worker has been diagnosed with bird flu — the second human case associated with an outbreak in U.S. dairy cows.
The male worker had been in contact with cows at a farm with infected animals. He experienced mild eye symptoms and has recovered, U.S. and Michigan health officials said in announcing the case Wednesday.
A nasal swab from the person tested negative for the virus, but an eye swab tested Tuesday was positive for bird flu, “indicating an eye infection,” U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials said.
It can however be transmitted from the cows coughing, through shared water, and through their raw milk. These workers need water proof pants, slathered in Iodoform, boot covers, masks, and gloves. The milking carousel needs to be sanitized, their hay may even need to be under a UV lamp. It’s a lot of work, it’s necessary work, but it’s a LOT more than just gloves.
We do agree that even the simplistic measures of masks and gloves aren’t being taken and that is egregious.
https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2024/04/24/usda-actions-protect-livestock-health-highly-pathogenic-h5n1-avian
i believe also through manure. dairy cows are feed a diet high in grain because it maximizes their milk production. their stomach are not designed for a high grain diet, so they always have diarrhea. the cows shit often and anywhere and it splatters everywhere. when you are milking cows, you will get it on your clothes, in your eyes, in your mouth. …
Yes, that’s the reason for the boot covers and water proof pants. I forgot to add that to my reply.