CDC releases health alert regarding bird flu infection
On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health alert, notifying healthcare facilities and the public about a confirmed case of bird flu infection in a human.
A farm worker at a commercial dairy farm in Texas experienced conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, on March 27. Subsequently, the individual tested positive for "highly pathogenic avian influenza" (HPAI), as stated by the CDC.
Before this incident, there had been no previous reports of the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) from cows to humans, although HPAI viruses had been reported in the Texas area's dairy cattle and wild birds.
The patient, who did not exhibit any other symptoms, was not hospitalized. According to the CDC, the individual has received antiviral treatment and is currently recovering. Additionally, none of the patient's household members have fallen ill.
"The CDC has not identified any additional cases of human infection with the HPAI A(H5N1) virus associated with the current infections in dairy cattle and birds in the United States, and no human-to-human transmission of HPAI A(H5N1) virus has been identified," the CDC stated.
Genomic testing conducted by the CDC revealed minor changes in the patient's virus genome and sequences from cattle, wild birds, and poultry. However, both strains lacked changes that would enhance their ability to infect mammals.
The USDA has confirmed infections of dairy cattle herds in five states—Texas, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico—with presumed positive results in Idaho. The CDC attributed the spread of the virus to the movement of cattle across state lines.
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Due to the bird flu outbreak, states such as Nebraska have implemented temporary restrictions on cattle imports.
The patient in Texas marks the second confirmed case of the disease in the U.S. The first case was reported in Colorado in April 2022, involving a patient who had been in contact with infected poultry.
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According to the CDC, while the risk remains low, individuals with occupations or recreational activities that could expose them to infected birds, cattle, or other animals are at higher risk and should take precautions.
Historically, the virus has demonstrated lethality, with more than 50 percent of human victims succumbing to it between 2003 and 2016. The current outbreak has affected 82 million birds across 48 states, constituting the most severe bird flu outbreak in U.S. history.