Top in ID: Third confirmed bird flu case; penicillin allergy testing in patients with STIs

A third human case in the avian influenza outbreak has been confirmed in another Michigan dairy worker, although risk to the general public remains low, according to the CDC.

H5N1 has been identified in 69 cow herds across 9 states — Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota and Texas — but only three human cases have been confirmed to date. All three cases are dairy workers who had long and unprotected exposure to infected animals.

“Risk depends on exposure, and in this case, the relevant exposure is to infected animals,” CDC said. “The risk to members of the general public who do not have exposure to infected animals remains low.”

It was the top story in infectious disease last week.

Another top story was about a questionnaire that successfully identified patients with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) who could be safely evaluated for a penicillin allergy using skin testing or a two-step graded oral challenge.

Read these and more top stories in infectious diseases below:

Second Michigan dairy worker tests positive for bird flu, human case count rises to three

A second dairy worker in Michigan became the third human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus linked to an outbreak in dairy cows, the CDC announced. Read more.

Questionnaire identifies patients at low risk for penicillin allergy

Researchers found that a questionnaire successfully identified patients with STIs who can be safely evaluated for penicillin allergy by skin test or by a two-step graded oral challenge, according to a study. Read more.

As Lyme disease cases increase, so does promise of a new vaccine

Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States, and although cases have steadily increased — and are estimated to be significantly undercounted — there is no vaccine to prevent it. Read more.

Tele-antimicrobial stewardship programs change the game

The term “antimicrobial stewardship” was first described in 1996 by John E. McGowan Jr., MD, and Dale N. Gerding, MD. Read more.

Hooked on ID with Kelly Zabriskie, MLS, CIC, FAPIC

Science has always been a passion of mine. I worked in research and microbiology for years, and while at home, I would read science journals, try to identify diseases from case studies and watch all the science shows. Read more.