TheCable

The United States has confirmed a human case of the H5N1 strain of bird flu.

Bird flu is a condition caused by an influenza virus which is generally observed among wild aquatic birds.

The flu can also infect domestic poultry, other birds, and animals. Bird flu infection in humans, though possible, is rare.

There are many strains of bird flu — one of which is the H5N1 strain.

In a statement on Monday, the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said the infected person had exposure to dairy cattle in Texas presumed to be infected with 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.

”However, people with close or prolonged, unprotected exposures to infected birds or other animals (including livestock), or to environments contaminated by infected birds or other animals, are at greater risk of infection.

”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.