A human case of avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, has been detected in Texas, following exposure to dairy cows believed to be carriers of the virus. This announcement follows recent reports from federal agencies indicating the presence of the virus in dairy herds in several states, including Texas.
The Texas Department of State Health Services reported that the affected individual exhibited only one symptom, eye inflammation. The unnamed patient underwent testing late last week, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirming the diagnosis the following weekend. The patient is currently receiving treatment with oseltamivir, an antiviral drug effective against various strains of influenza, including influenza A, B, and swine flu.
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Dr. Céline Gounder, a medical contributor for CBS News and public health editor-at-large at KFF Health News, emphasized the mild nature of this case on “CBS Mornings” Tuesday, noting that the infection was limited to conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye. This is significant because the infection is not in the respiratory system, which reduces the possibility of transmission between people.
Officials in Texas have noted that human cases of H5N1, the bird flu strain in question, can range from mild symptoms such as eye infections and respiratory issues to more serious outcomes such as of pneumonia and death.
According to the CDC, this marks only the second human bird flu infection in the US The virus usually affects wild birds but can spread to domestic species. The current outbreak has resulted in the deaths of millions of birds worldwide and has also affected other mammal populations, including sea lions, seals, and polar bears.
Dairy cattle are the latest group of animals to fall ill with a strain of the virus, with confirmed cases in Texas, Kansas, and Michigan. This is the first time dairy cows in the US have been affected by this particular infection.
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Despite transmission to a person, the Texas health department maintains that the spread of bird flu from person to person remains “extremely rare.” The virus has not mutated in a way that increases its transmissibility to humans. The department is advising affected dairies on protective measures for workers and encouraging those who come into contact with infected cattle to monitor for flu-like symptoms and seek testing.
Dr. assured Gounder in public there is no cause for concern for the average person, unless they have had direct contact with infected birds or cattle or with a person who has contracted the virus.
The previous case of bird flu in the US occurred in Colorado in 2022, where an individual involved in the slaughter of a presumed infected chicken experienced fatigue but recovered after isolation and treatment with oseltamivir.
Human infections can occur when a sufficient amount of the virus enters a person’s eyes, nose, mouth, or is inhaled. Those with close or prolonged unprotected contact with infected birds or contaminated areas are at increased risk.
Health alerts to clinicians indicate that bird flu symptoms in humans are similar to those of the common flu, including fever, cough, sore throat, and fatigue, with the odd addition of eye redness or conjunctivitis. Severe cases can lead to pneumonia, respiratory failure, and death.
Authorities stressed that the risk to the general public is low and recommended good hygiene practices to prevent the spread of the virus. They also advise against drinking raw, unpasteurized milk, as it can pose health risks even without bird flu contamination. Milk sold in stores is pasteurized and safe to drink.