A person in Texas diagnosed with rare bird flu after contact with cattle
A Texan individual has tested positive for bird flu, marking the second case of this virus affecting humans in the United States. The virus has recently been prevalent among dairy cow populations.
State health authorities disclosed that the patient exhibited eye redness after contact with diseased cows. Experts reassured that the risk to the general public remains minimal, although caution is advised when interacting with unwell animals.
The patient in Texas is undergoing treatment with antiviral medication and is currently in isolation.
Contrary to its name, the virus isn’t exclusive to birds; it has been found in cows across several states, including Texas, Kansas, and Michigan, in recent weeks. Although uncommon, there have been isolated cases of human infection worldwide, despite the virus typically not spreading to humans.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), avian flu, or H5N1, can manifest in humans with symptoms ranging from mild respiratory and eye infections to severe pneumonia, potentially leading to fatalities.
The initial human case of H5N1 bird flu in the US emerged in 2022 in Colorado, where an individual fell ill after direct exposure to presumably infected poultry. This person experienced fatigue for a brief period before making a full recovery.
While avian flu often proves fatal in birds, its impact on cattle has been comparatively less severe.
The CDC advises people to avoid exposure to sick or dead animals including wild birds, poultry, and cattle. The agency also says people should not eat uncooked or undercooked related food products such as unpasteurized milk and cheeses.
