The H5N1 virus infects birds, causing high fever and mortality rates. Very rarely is human transmission seen. One such case has been reported in Texas.
The Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed the first human case of novel avian influenza A (H5N1) after exposure to infected dairy cattle.
Avian influenza threat among cattle
Symptoms of avian influenza include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, fatigue, eye redness (conjunctivitis), diarrhea and nausea.
Bird flu symptoms in humans
Direct contact and culling with infected poultry resulted in a human case in Colorado in 2022.
Infected poultry in Colorado
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains a low-risk assessment for H5N1 bird flu among the general public but urges caution for people exposed to infected birds.
Avian flu risk remains low for humans
Bird flu, which largely affects poultry birds, can affect some of the domestic animals, too.
Bird flu seen in domestic animals too
The US Department of Agriculture has confirmed the avian flu influenza in dairy herd in New Mexico.
Bird flu seen in dairy herd in New Mexico
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says, due to pasteurization, commercial dairy products are not a health risk.
Commercial milk, not a risk
Uncooked or food products, such as unpasteurized (raw) milk or cheese made from raw milk, can pose a risk to those with HPAI A (H5N1) virus infection.
Avoid uncooked food and unpasteurised milk products
Human infections are linked to the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus and the bird flu virus (H7N9). Those infected with the virus must be monitored for 10 days after exposure to the symptoms.
Bird flu outbreak remains low, but heed caution