They are monitoring the situation.
A recent case of avian flu was reported in Texas last week, with the affected individual having worked directly with dairy cattle. The Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed the case, which was subsequently verified by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The person infected with the H5N1 virus is currently in recovery and has been instructed to isolate.
The individual’s sole symptom was inflammation of the eye, and they are undergoing treatment with oseltamivir, a generic form of the antiviral medication Tamiflu, as per the Texas health department. Authorities are collaborating with local, state, and federal health agencies to investigate the case and have issued an alert to healthcare providers to monitor for additional instances of avian influenza.
Despite this case, both the Texas Department of State Health Services and the CDC maintain that the risk to the general public remains low. However, ongoing surveillance and preparedness efforts are crucial, given the evolving nature of influenza viruses, according to the CDC.
This marks the first reported case of H5N1 flu in a person associated with dairy cattle in the US, with the previous case involving a Colorado resident who had direct exposure to poultry during the culling of birds in 2022. The Texas health agency assured that there is no risk to the commercial milk supply, emphasizing that pasteurization effectively eliminates avian flu viruses.
Avian flu, a type A influenza virus originating in birds, has been detected in various bird species across the US since 2022, including seagulls, owls, and ducks. Additionally, numerous mammals, primarily in the Western and Midwestern regions, have been infected during the recent outbreak, including bears, foxes, possums, and seals. Scientists attribute their infections to interactions with or consumption of infected birds.
The virus spreads through feces, saliva, and contact with contaminated surfaces. Human-to-human transmission of avian flu is exceedingly rare, according to the CDC. Symptoms can vary from asymptomatic to mild flu-like illness or eye redness, with severe cases potentially leading to pneumonia requiring hospitalization. Vigilance and continued monitoring are essential to manage and mitigate the spread of avian flu.
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