The Texas Department of State Health Services on Monday reported it has confirmed the first human case of avian influenza, or bird flu, in the state. This marks the second confirmed U.S. case. The first case was reported in Colorado in 2022. The most recent case is the first linked to cattle exposure. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Texas Department of State Health Services on Monday reported the first human case of bird flu in Texas

  • According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this marks the second human case in the U.S. and the first linked to exposure to infected cattle. The first case was reported in Colorado in 2022

  • The risk of infection among people remains low, DSHS said 

  • This flu typically infects wild birds but can spread to domesticated birds and other animals

DSHS said the person who contracted bird flu was in direct contact with presumably infected cattle.

The patient’s only symptom is eye inflammation. The person was tested for flu by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week, and confirmatory testing was conducted this past weekend. The patient is being treated with the antiviral drug oseltamivir.

DSHS said risk to the public remains low.

The Texas Animal Health Commission in March announced the first cases of bird flu in cattle in the Texas Panhandle. The cattle infections, DSHS said, do not present a concern for commercial milk production. Dairies are required to destroy or divert milk from infected cows.

This flu typically infects wild birds but can spread to domesticated birds and other animals. It occasionally infects people. Person-to-person transmission is rare, DHSH said.

Still, people who work in the cattle industry are urged to monitor for flu-like symptoms and get tested.