Weekly Roundup on Bird Flu #

A worker on a dairy farm in Texas tested positive for the avian flu, only the second case in the United States. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the person was recovering with mild symptoms. The first case, in 2022, was diagnosed in a Colorado man who was directly exposed to poultry.

Bird flu, also known as avian flu or avian influenza, refers to infections caused by avian influenza Type A viruses. These viruses spread among wild birds, especially wild aquatic birds like ducks and geese. They can also infect domestic poultry and other animals. Bird flu is primarily transmitted from bird-to-bird, through bodily fluids, direct contact, or contact with contaminated surfaces.

Some forms of bird flu can be transmitted to other animals, including humans. The H5N1 avian flu virus has been detected in mammals and can be contracted through exposure to infected birds or intermediate hosts like cattle. Human-to-human transmission is rare.

Infected people can experience a range of symptoms, from mild to severe. The treatment options include antiviral drugs that reduce the likelihood of severe illness. Vaccines targeting specific strains of bird flu are not currently commercially available in large quantities.

It is safe to consume properly handled and cooked poultry, eggs, and pasteurized milk. Indoor pet birds that have no contact with wild birds or infected animals are unlikely to contract the virus.