A second health worker in contact with a Missouri patient who tested positive for H5N1 developed respiratory symptoms but was not tested for influenza, according to the CDC. The Missouri patient, who recovered, did not have contact with poultry or dairy cows. Last week, another health care worker and a household contact of the patient also became ill, but it is not clear if they had the H5 virus. The CDC is conducting serological testing to confirm previous infections. H5 viruses typically do not spread person-to-person, but health officials are concerned due to high mortality rates. It is unknown how the patient contracted bird flu. Possible human-to-human transmission is being investigated. Experts are looking at interactions with wild birds and bird feeders or consumption of raw meat or dairy products. Despite limited transmission to close contacts, it does not necessarily mean the virus has become more easily transmissible to humans. There have been 14 bird flu infections since March, mostly in poultry and dairy workers, amid an outbreak of H5N1 in dairy cows across 213 herds in 14 states. Further testing and investigation are ongoing to determine the source and potential spread of the virus in this case.
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