Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been detected in Austin-Travis County, Texas, prompting health advisories. While bird flu primarily affects birds, over 60 human cases have been reported in the U.S., including a fatal case in Louisiana with a mutated virus, raising concerns about potential human-to-human transmission.
Texas officials confirmed Wednesday that highly pathogenic avian influenza has been detected in Austin-Travis County after tests were performed on dead birds discovered in North Austin earlier this month. The Austin Public Health Department and Texas Department of State Health Services said the tests on the deceased birds were conducted by an area veterinary lab, which detected the virus.
patient in Louisiana who had been hospitalized with the first human case of bird flu died Monday, according to the Louisiana Department of Health . The unidentified patient was over 65 and was reported to have underlying medical conditions, the agency said. The same patient was found to have a mutated version of the virus, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced last week, suggesting bird flu could potentially spread from human to human.
Both the CDC and the LDH maintain that the risk to the public remains low. Officials did caution, however, that those who come in contact with birds, poultry or cows are at a higher risk of contracting the virus. As of Friday, there were 66 confirmed human cases of bird flu, including the Louisiana case, according to the CDC. Of those, 37 were in California, 11 in Washington state and 10 in Colorado.
Austin health officials encourage anyone who comes across a sick or dead bird to contact the Texas Animal Health Commission at 800-550-8242. The officials also encourage anyone with a sick or dead pet bird to contact a veterinarian. Fox News Digital’s Louis Casiano contributed to this report.
BIRD FLU HEALTH VIRUS TEXAS HUMAN TRANSMISSION
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