Bird Flu Hits Farmworkers: What You Need to Know

Two farmworkers in California's Central Valley tested positive for bird flu, also known as H5N1 avian influenza. This was confirmed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday. The news comes after the California Department of Public Health announced two suspected cases earlier that day. Both workers had mild symptoms, mainly red eyes, which is a sign they were infected through their eyes. They worked on different dairy farms where cattle had tested positive for H5N1.The good news? Farmworkers can protect themselves by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), like face shields or goggles, face masks, and gloves. The general public doesn't need to worry much, as health officials say the risk is low. But what about the farms? There are now 16 human cases in the US since March, mostly linked to poultry and dairy cattle outbreaks. Why should we care? Each time this virus infects a person, it can change and adapt better to humans. That's why experts are keeping a close eye on it. We don't want another pandemic, do we?