Texas reports second U.S. human bird flu case linked to infected dairy cattle

A Texas resident has tested positive for H5N1 bird flu after coming into contact with infected dairy cattle, marking only the second confirmed human case of the virus in the United States. The patient developed eye redness—a symptom consistent with conjunctivitis—and remains the sole reported symptom of infection. They are now recovering while isolated at home and receiving antiviral medication.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the case on Monday, characterizing it as part of a broader pattern of bird flu spreading through American livestock. This Texas case follows the first recorded human infection in the country, which occurred in Colorado in 2022 when a prison inmate working with poultry contracted the virus. That individual also recovered after taking antivirals and isolating. While human cases remain rare in the United States, the CDC notes that similar infections have occurred sporadically around the world.

The emergence of H5N1 in dairy cattle represents a relatively new development in the outbreak's trajectory. Last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture first identified the virus in dairy herds across Texas and Kansas. Testing revealed that unpasteurized milk from sick cattle at two Kansas farms and one Texas farm tested positive for the virus, as did a throat swab from another infected cow in Texas. The situation escalated when the USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed H5N1 in a Michigan dairy herd that had recently received cattle from Texas, suggesting the virus is moving between states through animal movement.

The CDC maintains that the general public faces low risk from bird flu at this time. However, the agency emphasizes that people with close or prolonged, unprotected exposure to infected animals face significantly greater danger. The agency is actively working with state health departments to monitor workers who may have encountered infected or potentially infected birds and cattle, testing those who develop symptoms. This surveillance effort reflects growing concern about occupational exposure among dairy and agricultural workers.

Bird flu symptoms can range from mild to severe, including fever, cough, sore throat, congestion, headache, fatigue, eye redness, shortness of breath, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and in some cases seizures. The Texas patient's presentation—limited to eye inflammation—represents a relatively mild manifestation of the infection.

The current outbreak has deep roots. The United States first detected H5N1 among wild birds and poultry in late 2021. The situation deteriorated significantly over the following year, forcing the culling of more than 58 million domestic poultry by October 2022 in an effort to contain spread. The jump to dairy cattle last month signals the virus's ability to adapt to new animal populations, a development that has prompted intensified coordination between federal agencies.

The CDC is urging the public to avoid unprotected contact with sick or dead animals, including wild birds, poultry, and other domesticated or wild animals. The agency specifically warns against exposure to raw milk, animal feces, litter, and materials contaminated by birds or other animals. People should also avoid consuming undercooked or uncooked food from animals suspected of carrying bird flu, with particular emphasis on unpasteurized milk. As dairy herds across multiple states now carry the virus, these warnings carry immediate practical weight for consumers and workers alike.