Human bird flu cases in California may be undercounted as workers resist testing

By Leah Douglas

(Reuters) – Human bird flu cases in California may be undercounted as farm workers avoid testing due in part to economic concerns, according to a labor union and a state expert.

Since early October, bird flu has infected 15 dairy farm workers in California, where the virus has rapidly spread since August to more than 130 dairy herds.

California farm workers with symptoms consistent with bird flu have avoided testing because they fear they would need to isolate at home without pay, said Elizabeth Strater, national vice president of the United Farm Workers labor union.

“There is a very significant undercount of cases because we don’t have a way to monitor who is sick because workers are unwilling to test,” Strater said.

The symptoms associated with human cases of the virus, like fever and conjunctivitis, are not severe enough to risk the loss of income, Strater added.

People who test positive for bird flu must isolate until public health officials have determined they no longer pose a spread risk, according to guidance from the California Department of Public Health.

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