Texas officials say dead bird found in early January tested positive for bird flu
Texas officials confirmed Wednesday that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI, or bird flu) has been detected in Austin-Travis County after testing of a dead bird found in North Austin earlier this month.
The Austin Department of Public Health and the Texas Department of State Health Services said a regional veterinary laboratory tested the dead birds and detected the virus.
Austin Public Health issued the advisory Wednesday to remind the public that people who work with infected wild birds, poultry or dairy cows are at greater risk of contracting the virus if they come into contact with sick or infected dead animals.
While avian influenza typically affects wild birds, especially waterfowl and poultry, more than 60 human cases of avian influenza have been detected across the United States
Virus mutations appear in bird flu patients, raising concerns about human-to-human transmission
On January 14, 2023, a person touched a test tube labeled “bird flu”. (Reuters/Dado Ruvic/Picture/File Photo)
A patient hospitalized with the first human case of bird flu in Louisiana died Monday, according to the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH).
The unidentified patient is over 65 years old and reportedly has underlying medical conditions, the agency said.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced last week that the same patient was found to be carrying a mutated version of the virus, suggesting that bird flu may spread from person to person.
Louisiana reports first U.S. human death related to bird flu
A wild duck in the river (iStock)
Both CDC and LDH believe the risk to the public remains low.
However, officials warn that those who come into contact with birds, poultry or cattle are at higher risk of contracting the virus.
As of Friday, there have been 66 confirmed human cases of avian influenza, including cases in Louisiana, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Of those, 37 are in California, 11 in Washington state and 10 in Colorado.
Click here to subscribe to our health newsletter
This undated electron microscope image provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows two types of influenza A (H5N1) virions, a type of avian influenza virus. (Cynthia Goldsmith, Jackie Katz/CDC, AP, File)
About 40 of the cases are linked to exposure to cattle.
Avian influenza is a highly contagious virus that can be spread through contact with infected animals, equipment and caregivers’ clothing and shoes, according to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Click here to get the Fox News app
Austin health officials encourage anyone who encounters a sick or dead bird to contact the Texas Animal Health Commission at 800-550-8242. Officials also encourage anyone with a sick or dead pet bird to contact their veterinarian.
Fox News Digital’s Luis Casciano contributed to this report.
