An unexpected development in the avian influenza outbreak has been the infection of cows, in addition to millions of birds. A person who had contact with infected cattle on a Texas farm has also tested positive for H5N1, making them the second documented case in the United States. The infected individual is currently being treated for a single symptom, eye redness, with an antiviral drug. The source of the infection in the cows is unknown, but it is suspected that it may be linked to wild bird excrement. Most cases of H5N1 in humans occur after close contact with infected animals, such as poultry, and can range from mild to severe (SN: 3/6/23). The CDC currently assesses the risk of H5N1 to humans as low. However, the USDA advises that milk from infected cows should be discarded before entering the food supply, and pasteurization would effectively eliminate the virus from milk.
2024-04-03 06:30:00
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