Key Takeaways
- A person in Texas contracted chicken flu after having shut contact with dairy cattle.
- This is just the second identified chicken flu case in people within the U.S.
- Doctors say that folks shouldn’t panic.
Health officers in Texas say {that a} person within the state was contaminated with chicken flu after coming into contact with dairy cattle which are “presumed” to have the virus.
The affected person’s main symptom was conjunctivitis. They are actually taking the antiviral drug oseltamivir, which can be used to deal with different flu viruses. Health officers stated in a press launch that the case “does not change the risk for the general public, which remains low.”
This is the second human case of chicken flu within the U.S. and the primary that’s linked to cows.
Prolonged Contact With Animals Is Necessary for Human Infection
Bird flu, which is also referred to as avian flu, is a kind of influenza A virus that often doesn’t infect folks. However, this has occurred earlier than.
“There have been a number of cases of avian influenza in humans across the globe, but only a couple of cases here in the U.S.,” Thomas Russo, MD, professor and chief of infectious illness on the University at Buffalo in New York, informed Verywell. “Individuals who have acquired avian influenza have had close and prolonged contact with infected animals.”
These chicken flu diseases in folks have ranged in severity from individuals who don’t have any signs to some having a extreme sickness that led to loss of life, in response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
There are various kinds of chicken flu. Asian lineage H7N9 and Asian lineage H5N1 have brought about essentially the most human diseases from chicken flu viruses around the globe.
How Does Bird Flu Spread?
Infected birds often shed the chicken flu virus by way of their saliva, mucus, and poop. People can then get contaminated if the virus will get into their eyes, mouth, or nostril, comparable to through inhalation. Most human infections which have occurred happen after somebody has unprotected contact with contaminated birds or touches surfaces which are contaminated with chicken flu viruses.
Other animals, together with pigs, horses, and cows, may contract chicken flu viruses.
It is uncommon for chicken flu viruses to unfold from an contaminated person to a different person. However, the CDC famous that it has occurred earlier than—it’s simply solely unfold to some folks.
“There’s no evidence at the moment that this virus has the genetic capacity to spread widely and readily from person to person,” William Schaffner, MD, an infectious illness specialist and professor on the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, informed Verywell.
Bird Flu Symptoms
There’s been a spread of signs reported in individuals who have had chicken flu, together with:
- Eye redness (aka conjunctivitis)
- Mild, flu-like higher respiratory signs
- Fever or feeling feverish
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nostril
- Muscle or physique aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath or hassle respiratory
It’s much less widespread, however somebody with chicken flu might also expertise diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or seizures.
The latest chicken flu affected person had conjunctivitis, which Russo stated can occur.
“Symptoms are usually more respiratory, but infectious particles can cause infections when they get into the body, including the eyes,” he stated.
How Common Is Bird Flu in Humans?
Doctors stress that chicken flu shouldn’t be widespread in people in any respect. The latest case is just the second chicken flu case detected in people within the U.S.
“This is more common in other parts of the world where people in rural areas live very close with their poultry, but even then it’s rare,” Schaffner stated. “There is no evidence of a wide spread of this virus in humans.”
Russo agrees. “There have only been a small number of cases of avian influenza in people across the globe,” he stated.
Schaffner factors out that the World Health Organization (WHO) has sturdy surveillance for a number of varieties of flu, together with chicken flu.
“We’re looking harder and in a more sophisticated way than we were able to look for influenza strains even five years ago,” he stated. “The harder you look, the more you’ll find.”
Why Is Bird Flu Dangerous?
While chicken flu circumstances within the U.S. have been delicate, they’ve been severe and even lethal overseas.
“Influenza is one of those respiratory viruses that can cause pneumonia and interfere with our breathing,” Schaffner stated. “The usual influenza viruses are particularly dangerous for the very young, the very old, frail, and immune-compromised populations.”
Russo stated that there’s a “potential concern” chicken flu spreading extra in folks, however stated there’s no signal proper now that that is going to unfold within the bigger inhabitants.
“For this to be able to infect humans effectively, it needs several mutations,” Russo stated. “But this virus has been around for a while, and so far, we have not seen a high number of cases.”
Doctors stated that it’s essential for public well being specialists to proceed to observe chicken flu circumstances in people, although, particularly after the latest pressure jumped to cattle.
“We don’t want to give the virus too many chances,” Russo stated.
Still, Schaffner stresses that there’s no have to panic.
“Everyone should take a deep breath and relax,” he stated.
What This Means For You
Unless you’re employed intently with poultry and different livestock, there isn’t any want to fret about contracting chicken flu. However, should you had shut interplay with birds, cows, or different animals and developed flu-like signs afterward, it’s a good suggestion to achieve out to your physician about subsequent steps.
