You U.S confirmed, on Monday (1st), the second human case of avian influenza A (H5N1), also known as bird flu. The incident was identified by the Texas Department of Health Services, which reported that the infected person had direct exposure to dairy cattle presumably infected.
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According to Texas health authorities, the patient had only one symptom: eye inflammation. He was isolated and placed on treatment with the antiviral oseltamivir, and will be monitored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Although this is the second case of the disease in the United States, the infection is the first linked to exposure to cattle. In March, the Texas Animal Health Commission announced the first cases of avian influenza in dairy cattle in the Texas Panhandle, saying that products derived from sick cows would be discarded.
“We are providing guidance to affected dairies on how to minimize worker exposure and how people working with affected livestock can monitor for flu-like symptoms and get tested,” the Texas Department of Health said, reinforcing that it has issued a warning of health.
What is bird flu?
Avian influenza is a highly contagious viral disease that mainly affects wild and domestic birds. Human infection is rare, but can occur through direct contact with infected birds (dead or alive). Tests carried out recently show that the virus has not changed its shape and that it remains difficult to transmit between humans.
