Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Helen Branswell
Published on 2024-04-01 18:35:50
Texas health officials reported on Monday that an individual who had been in contact with cattle has contracted H5N1 avian flu, marking only the second case ever recorded in the United States. The Texas Department of State Health Services disclosed that the individual had contact with dairy cattle believed to be infected with the virus. The person’s only symptom is eye inflammation, specifically an infection of the conjunctiva, the tissue surrounding the eye.
Nirav Shah, the principal deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), provided an update on the infected individual’s condition, stating that they are doing well and undergoing treatment with the antiviral drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu). The individual has been advised to isolate to minimize the risk of infecting others, and officials have not observed any further spread of the virus. No close contacts have reported developing symptoms related to the virus.
Testing was conducted late last week, with confirmatory tests performed at the CDC over the weekend. Currently, no additional confirmatory H5 tests are being conducted by the CDC. Despite this, public health officials remain vigilant and are actively monitoring for any signs of illness in individuals who may have been exposed to livestock.
Several states, including Texas, Kansas, and Michigan, have reported confirmed H5N1 outbreaks in cattle, with New Mexico and Idaho also reporting presumed outbreaks in cattle. While the virus does not typically lead to the death of cattle, it can reduce milk production and impact feeding. Owners of affected herds have been instructed to destroy milk from infected cattle, although pasteurization can effectively eliminate the virus if it enters the food chain.
Historically, cows have not been identified as susceptible to the H5N1 virus. The virus, known for its highly pathogenic nature in poultry, has been detected in numerous other mammalian species, such as big cats, bears, foxes, skunks, sea lions, and seals. Despite its expanding geographic reach and variety of host species, the risk posed to humans by the virus remains low, according to assessments by the WHO and CDC.
H5N1 avian flu has been a prominent concern among experts on emerging diseases for the past two decades, with nearly 900 human infections reported in 23 countries. The majority of these cases have been fatal, though recent strains of the virus appear to cause less frequent and less severe human infections. The discovery of H5N1 infection in cows has puzzled researchers, prompting them to reconsider their understanding of the virus and its potential transmission across species.
While the expansion of the virus into cattle signifies a broader range, experts like Michael Osterholm from the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Diseases Research and Policy maintain that the current risk level for humans remains unchanged. Osterholm emphasized the need for continued monitoring and research to understand any potential mutations that could alter the virus’s behavior. The infection of cattle, while concerning, does not immediately raise alarm for escalating risks to humans or other animals like swine.
As further developments unfold, public health officials and infectious disease experts will closely monitor the situation to assess any changes in the virus’s behavior and potential impacts on human health.
