California reports first suspected H5N1 bird flu patient amid fears virus is spreading between people for the first time

A dairy worker in California tested “presumptive positive” for bird flu, becoming possibly the 15th person in the US to contract the disease.

The unidentified patient works at a dairy facility that is currently experiencing an outbreak of bird flu, H5N1, among its livestock. The person experienced mild symptoms and only reported conjunctivitis or red eyes.

The local health department was notified and the worker was tested for the virus, resulting in a presumptive positive result.

A sample is now being sent to the CDC for further testing.

The patient, the first in California, is being treated with antiviral medications and isolated at home.