Third bird flu case confirmed in U.S. farmworker

• In the two previous cases this year, pink eye was reported as their only symptom.

The latest: Officials said the worker was exposed to cows infected with the H5N1 virus and didn't wear protective equipment. The new case was found at a different farm in Michigan than the one reported last week.

• The worker reported upper respiratory tract symptoms, including cough without fever, and eye discomfort with watery discharge to state health officials.
• The patient was given antiviral treatment oseltamivir — the active ingredient in Tamiflu — and is isolated at home and recovering, officials said.
• There is no indication of person-to-person spread, they said.

The bottom line: Officials said the latest case doesn't change their assessment that the risk of contracting bird flu remains low for the general public.

• However, they said farm workers have a higher risk of exposure and should take precautions.