The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a health alert after confirming a case of avian influenza, or bird flu, in a dairy farm worker in Texas. This marks only the second known case of the virus infecting a person in the United States, with the first case being diagnosed in a Colorado poultry worker in 2022. The CDC emphasized the importance of informing clinicians, state health departments, and the public about the recent human infection and advised individuals working with birds or livestock to use personal protective equipment (PPE) to lower the risk of infection. The alert also recommended the use of PPE when dealing with people who may have been exposed to the virus.
The CDC alert highlighted the importance of monitoring patients showing signs or symptoms of acute respiratory illness or conjunctivitis, as well as those with relevant exposure history. The Texas patient infected with bird flu displayed conjunctivitis, but the virus can also cause coughing, sore throat, fever, fatigue, shortness of breath, and other serious symptoms. Over half of the more than 900 human H5N1 cases reported globally since 1997 have resulted in death. While the risks to the general public were deemed low, individuals were advised to avoid being near sick or dead animals or surfaces contaminated with animal feces, litter, raw milk, or other byproducts without wearing respiratory or eye protection. It was also recommended to avoid consuming uncooked or undercooked food products from animals with suspected or confirmed bird flu infection.
There have been long-standing concerns about bird flu infections leading to a new epidemic or pandemic, but there have been no known cases of human-to-human transmission involving the current circulating viruses. However, public health officials raised concerns after the discovery of the first known H5N1 cases in cattle, marking the virus’s jump from birds to cows. The dairy cow outbreak began in late March in Texas, where the human case was also diagnosed, and has spread to at least six other states. Testing of the virus did not reveal any genetic changes that would increase the likelihood of human infections or impair the effectiveness of antiviral medications to combat infections.
The CDC’s alert is aimed at informing clinicians and health care workers about the recent human infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza, stressing the importance of monitoring individuals showing symptoms and relevant exposure history. While the risks to the general public were considered to be low, individuals were advised to take common-sense measures to prevent infection, such as avoiding contact with sick animals or surfaces contaminated with animal waste and refraining from consuming uncooked or undercooked food products from animals with suspected bird flu infection. Despite concerns about potential epidemics or pandemics, there have been no documented cases of human-to-human transmission involving the current circulating viruses.
The CDC alert underscores the importance of those working with animals following recommendations to reduce the chances of a future outbreak and calls for public vigilance in preventing infections. While the recent case of bird flu in a dairy farm worker in Texas is only the second known instance of the virus infecting a person in the U.S., public health officials are closely monitoring the situation to prevent the spread of the virus. The discovery of bird flu cases in cattle has raised concerns about cross-species transmission, but genetic testing of the virus has not shown any changes that would increase the risk of human infections or impact the effectiveness of antiviral medications. Vigilance, preventative measures, and adherence to CDC guidelines are essential in safeguarding public health against avian influenza and potential future outbreaks.
