CDC urges more testing for bird flu after blood tests reveal more farmworker infections

CDC calls for expanded testing for bird flu after blood tests reveal more farmworker infections Federal health officials are calling for more testing and treatment of workers on farms with bird flu. AP News

Federal health officials on Thursday called for more testing of employees on farms with bird flu after a new study showed that some dairy workers had signs of infection, even when they didn’t report feeling sick.

Farmworkers in close contact with infected animals should be tested and offered treatment even if they show no symptoms, said Dr. Nirav Shah, principal director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The new guidance comes after blood tests for 115 farmworkers in Michigan and Colorado showed that eight workers — or 7% — had antibodies that indicated previous infection with the virus known as Type A H5N1 influenza. ...

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