Bird Flu Outbreak in the United States
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reported cases of bird flu in multiple states, with initial cases in Texas and Kansas believed to have been introduced by wild birds. Subsequent cases in New Mexico, Michigan, and Idaho have shown a very similar strain of the virus.
Spread of Infections
- Bird flu has been detected in dairy herds in Ohio, Kansas, and New Mexico.
- Infected dairy herds have been reported in six states, with cases first identified in Texas and Kansas on March 25.
Transmission and Detection
Researchers from the USDA found clear signals of the virus in milk samples taken from affected dairies. However, there is no evidence that the virus is actively replicating within the cows’ bodies other than in the udder.
USDA officials have highlighted the possibility of transmission from cow to cow through milk droplets on dairy workers’ clothing or gloves, as well as through the suction cups used for milking.
Human Case in Texas
In a concerning development, a farm worker in Texas tested positive for bird flu, with the only symptom being eye inflammation. This marks the second known case of a human contracting the H5N1 virus in the country.
