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CNN — The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed on Thursday that two farmworkers in California tested positive for the H5N1 bird flu. This announcement followed the California Department of Public Health’s earlier report of two presumptive positive cases in humans.

The two workers, who were employed at separate dairy farms in California’s Central Valley, exhibited mild symptoms, primarily red eyes, or conjunctivitis, indicating an infection through the eyes. This can occur if a person rubs their eyes after contact with the virus or if infected milk splashes onto their face. Neither individual displayed respiratory symptoms or required hospitalization. Both farms had cattle known to be infected with the H5N1 strain of avian influenza.

Health officials reassured the public that the risk remains low. However, farmworkers, who are at greater risk due to their proximity to potentially infected animals, have been advised by the CDC to wear personal protective equipment, including face shields or goggles, masks, and gloves.

Dr. Tomás Aragón, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), highlighted the importance of ongoing health checks for individuals interacting with potentially infected animals, which facilitated the quick detection and response to these cases. He emphasized, “Fortunately, as we’ve seen in other states with human infections, the individual has experienced mild symptoms. We want to emphasize that the risk to the general public is low, and people who interact with potentially infected animals should take prevention measures.”

Since March, there have been 16 reported human cases of avian flu in the United States, most linked to outbreaks in poultry and dairy cattle. Previous cases were identified in Texas, Colorado, and Michigan, with a separate case in Missouri involving a patient with no known animal exposure.

Infectious disease experts are closely monitoring the H5N1 virus due to the potential for adaptation when it infects new human hosts. Such changes could increase the risk of a wider outbreak, as most pandemics have originated from various flu strains.