Texas officials confirmed Wednesday that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI or avian influenza) has been detected in Austin-Travis County after tests were performed on dead birds found in North Austin earlier this month.
The Austin Department of Public Health and the Texas Department of State Health said tests on the dead birds were conducted by a local veterinary laboratory, which detected the virus.
Austin Public Health issued an 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 are exposed to a sick or infected dead animal.
While bird flu usually affects wild birds, especially waterfowl and domestic poultry, more than 60 cases of bird flu in humans have been detected across the US
BIRD FLU PATIENT HAD VIRUS MUTATIONS, CAUSING CONCERN ABOUT HUMAN SPREAD
A person touches a test tube labeled “Bird Flu” on January 14, 2023. (Reuters/Dado Ruvić/Illustration/File Photo)
A patient in Louisiana who was hospitalized with the first human case bird flu he died on Monday, according to the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH).
The unidentified patient was over the age of 65 and was reported to be suffering from medical problems, the agency said.
The same patient was found to have a mutated version of the virus, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced last week, suggesting that bird flu could potentially spread from person to person.
LOUISIANA REPORTS FIRST US HUMAN DEATH FROM BIRD FLU
Wild duck in the river (iStock)
Both the CDC and LDH maintain that the risk to the public remains low.
However, the officials warned that those who enter contact with birdspoultry or cows have a higher risk of contracting the virus.
As of Friday, there were 66 confirmed cases of bird flu in humans, including the case in Louisiana, according to the CDC. Of those, 37 were in California, 11 in Washington state and 10 in Colorado.
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This undated electron microscope image provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows two virions of influenza A (H5N1), a type of bird flu virus. (Cynthia Goldsmith, Jackie Katz/CDC via AP, File)
Approximately 40 cases were associated with exposure to cattle herds.
Bird flu is a a highly contagious virus which can be spread by contact with infected animals, equipment, and on the clothing and shoes of caregivers, according to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
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Austin health officials encourage anyone who comes across 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 bird to contact a veterinarian.
Fox News Digital’s Louis Casiano contributed to this report.
