The United States has officially identified a human case of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza.
Avian flu, caused by various influenza viruses primarily found among wild aquatic birds, can also spread to domestic poultry, other avian species, and animals. Although rare, human infection with bird flu is possible.
Among the diverse strains of avian flu, the H5N1 variant is one of the most notable.
In a statement released on Monday, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC disclosed that the affected individual had been in contact with dairy cattle in Texas suspected of carrying H5N1 viruses.
”The patient reported eye redness consistent with conjunctivitis, as their only symptom, and is recovering. The patient was told to isolate and is being treated with an antiviral drug for flu,“ the statement reads.
”This infection does not change the H5N1 bird flu human health risk assessment for the U.S. general public, which CDC considers to be low.
”CDC is working with state health departments to continue to monitor workers who may have been in contact with infected or potentially infected birds/animals and test those people who develop symptoms.
”CDC is working closely with state and federal agencies, including USDA, the Food and Drug Administration, FDA, and local health authorities to further investigate and closely monitor this situation.“
The announcement comes days after officials said the H5N1 bird flu virus, known for decades to cause outbreaks in birds and to occasionally infect people, had spread to dairy cattle across multiple states, including Texas
This is the second person reported to have tested positive for the H5N1 bird flu virus in the US. In 2022, the country confirmed its first human case in a person in the western state of Colorado.
