The US has confirmed a second case of bird flu in humans after an individual tested positive for the disease after contact with cattle.
The infection of a dairy worker in the US state of Michigan is the second human infection in connection with the current outbreak, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Wednesday.
The worker displayed symptoms in his eyes similar to conjunctivitis.
The H5N1 virus was first detected in dairy cattle in late March. According to the US Department of Agriculture, wild birds likely infected the cows.
In April, the first case of human infection via a cow was confirmed in a Texas dairy worker who had contact with suspected infected dairy cows.
The risk of human infection is still considered low.
In 2022, authorities in Colorado registered an avian flu infection in a human who most likely contracted the disease through direct contact with poultry.
Bird flu, or avian influenza, is caused by influenza A viruses - like influenza in humans but by various other subtypes.
The world is currently experiencing the largest wave of bird flu ever documented, which is spreading across the globe. It mainly affects birds but has also been found in many mammals, including cats, bears, and seals.
According to the CDC, human symptoms can vary from eye or respiratory infections to severe illnesses like pneumonia, which can be life-threatening.
Health experts are warning that the virus could potentially adapt to human transmission.