(AFP) — US officials reported four new human cases of bird flu, increasing the total to eight, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The newly infected individuals are farm workers from the same poultry facility.

This development comes amid a troubling outbreak of the virus among cattle, which has also led to human infections. A fifth case is suspected but still needs confirmation.

The CDC stated that the risk to the general American population remains “low.” The infected workers experienced conjunctivitis and flu-like symptoms.

The bird flu epidemic, initially affecting primarily poultry and birds, was detected in the spring in the United States. An unusual twist occurred as the disease began appearing in cows. The first human infection via a cow was reported on April 1 in Texas.

Subsequently, two more cases emerged in Michigan, and in early July, another case was identified in Colorado. The disease is now spreading among both livestock and poultry in the western state.

While human cases remain rare, experts are concerned about the increasing number of mammals infected with the disease. They warn that high circulation could facilitate a virus mutation, enabling human-to-human transmission.

The CDC has renewed its call for precautions for workers in contact with infected cows or poultry to mitigate the risk of infection.