CDC: Bird flu case shows need for protective gear
CHICAGO – The Texas dairy farm worker infected with H5N1 bird flu was not wearing respiratory or eye protection and had been exposed to cattle that appeared to have the same symptoms as those in a nearby farm with a confirmed outbreak of the virus, according to new details on the case released on Friday.
The details, reported online in the New England Journal of Medicine, underscore the risk to farm workers in the ongoing outbreak among U.S. dairy cattle and the need to wear protective gear to avoid infection.
The outbreak – the first in cattle – is so far known to have infected 36 dairy herds in nine states.
Infection by the bird virus is rare in humans, and the dairy worker’s case, first reported in March, represents only the second known human infection in the United States.
It follows a worrisome spread of the virus in a variety of mammal species, raising concerns that widespread exposure of people could cause the virus to spread more easily among the population and spark a global pandemic.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the report said the farm worker developed a serious infection in his right eye known as conjunctivitis, or pink eye, but had no signs of respiratory infection or fever.
The worker had not reported any contact with sick or dead birds or other animals, but did have close exposure with sick dairy cows, with symptoms such as decreased milk production, reduced appetite and lethargy.
The worker had been wearing gloves but no respiratory or eye protection.
The CDC is urging farmers, workers and emergency responders to wear appropriate protective gear when in direct or close physical contact with sick birds, livestock, feces, raw milk or contaminated surfaces.
An analysis of the outbreak released on Thursday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture suggests the virus had been circulating in U.S. dairy cows for about four months before being reported on March 25.
Preliminary tests of milk, baby formula and other dairy products suggests they are safe to consume, according to the FDA.
Star Wars: Tales of the Empire
Disney+ ● New Series
Happy Star Wars Day! To celebrate, Disney+ premieres all six episodes of this latest animated series in the franchise. A follow-up to Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi, it takes a journey into the fearsome Galactic Empire through the eyes of two warriors on divergent paths, set during different eras. After losing everything, young Morgan Elsbeth (voice of Diana Lee Inosanto) navigates the expanding Imperial world toward a path of vengeance, while former Jedi Barriss Offee (Meredith Salenger) does what she must to survive a rapidly changing galaxy.
Horse Racing:
150th Kentucky Derby
NBC, 2:30 p.m. ● Live
Churchill Downs in Louisville is the scene for all the pageantry and tradition as horse racing’s Triple Crown series begins with the milestone 150th Run for the Roses. Top contenders who could be in the starting gate include Sierra Leone, Fierceness, Forever
Young, Dornoch and Catching Freedom.
Predator v Prey
BBC America, 8 p.m. ● Season Finale The Season 1 finale looks at how crocodiles hunt wildebeest and zebra, with new perspectives on how these predators use ambush strategies.
A Lifelong Love
Hallmark Channel, 8 p.m. ● Original Film While trying to reunite her grandfather with his lost love, Annika (Andrea Brooks) teams up with a college sweetheart (Patch May) to create a book about the experience, documenting different love stories along the way.
A Deadly Threat to My Family
Lifetime, 8 p.m.
Ryan (Mark Ricketson) helps his sister Serena (Gina Vitori) after she escapes from a dangerous cult. Ryan’s wife, Marielle (Jessica Morris), is suspicious
of Serena and doesn’t believe she’s truly reformed, and her concerns grow as she sees Serena bond with her teenage daughter. When another cult member shows up, she fears her daughter is their next target.
The Svengoolie Classic Horror & Sci-Fi Movie
MeTV, 8 p.m.
Sven introduces The Land That Time Forgot, a 1974 sci-fi adventure in which people aboard a World War I German U-boat find themselves arriving at an uncharted subcontinent where prehistoric creatures and humans still exist.
Katt Williams: Woke Foke
Netflix, 10 p.m. ● Live
Comedian Katt Williams’ latest comedy special will stream live from Los Angeles’ YouTube Theater as part of this year’s Netflix Is a Joke festival.
Austin City Limits
PBS, check station for time
British pop group Duran Duran perform songs from their 2021 album Future Past, as well as their greatest hits.
Saturday Night Live
NBC, 11:30 p.m. ● Live; also livestreams on Peacock Grammy-winning singer and actress Dua Lipa does double-duty tonight as host (her first time) and musical guest (her third appearance).