U.S. reports highly pathogenic avian influenza virus infection in people

LOS ANGELES, April 1 (Xinhua) -- A person in the United States has tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A (H5N1) virus, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Monday.

The infection case was reported by Texas and confirmed by the CDC. The person had exposure to dairy cattle in Texas presumed to be infected with H5N1 viruses.

The patient reported eye redness as only symptom, and is recovering, according to the CDC. The patient was told to isolate and is being treated with an antiviral drug for flu.

This infection does not change the H5N1 bird flu human health risk assessment for the U.S. general public, which the CDC considers to be low, said the CDC.

The CDC is working with state health departments to continue to monitor workers who may have been in contact with infected or potentially infected birds or animals and test those people who develop symptoms.

This is the second person reported to have tested positive for H5N1 viruses in the United States. A previous human case occurred in 2022 in the state of Colorado.