První případ ptačí chřipky u lidí v Texasu vyvolává poplach

A Texas dairy worker has tested positive for the avian flu, marking the first identified human case of an illness in the U.S. that has sickened cattle across several states over the past few weeks.

The infection, only the second human case of H5N1 ever recorded in the country, is worrying public health experts who for decades have cautioned that avian flu could pose a serious threat.

The case is the only one state and federal officials have identified, and there is no evidence that it is being spread among humans. The illness is mild and the worker is expected to recover, said two people familiar with the matter, who were granted anonymity because the information has not yet been made public. While there have been confirmed avian flu fatalities in other parts of the world, the U.S. has only ever recorded a handful of mild cases, according to the CDC.How daily drivers become frequent flyersSPONSORED BY CITITake your road trips further by earning 2X AAdvantage® miles at gas stations with the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® card. Apply today.See More

The new human case follows recent cow infections in Texas, Idaho, Michigan and New Mexico that have raised alarm among public health experts who worry the virus’ spread to mammals could make it easier for the virus to infect humans.“Every single time is a little bit of Russian roulette,” said veteran public health expert Ashish Jha, who led the Biden administration’s Covid-19 response. “You play that game long enough and one of these times it will become fit…   to spread among humans.”

The CDC, FDA and U.S. Department of Agriculture said the virus was found in a Michigan dairy herd that had recently received cows from herds in Texas. The USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories said the Michigan strain is very similar to the cow infections in Texas and Kansas, which appear to have come from wild birds.

“Initial testing has not found changes to the virus that would make it more transmissible to humans,” the CDC, FDA and USDA said in a press release. “While cases among humans in direct contact with infected animals are possible, this indicates that the current risk to the public remains low.”

Still, senior White House officials are closely monitoring the evolving situation, with the Office of Pandemic Preparedness receiving regular updates from HHS and USDA. Jeff Zients, President Joe Biden’s chief of staff, was briefed last week, said one person familiar with the matter, granted anonymity to discuss internal conversations.