Texas health officials warn residents about bird flu

AUSTIN, Texas - Texas health officials are warning about bird flu. It comes after the CDC confirmed the first severe case of bird flu in the country.

Since April, there have been more than 60 cases of bird flu in humans. Most recently in Texas, the virus was found in a bird in Galveston.

"It's a form of flu that's sort of native to birds, wild birds. We often see it in migratory birds, like waterfowl, those kinds of wild birds. But it can jump from two other domestic bird species, which is where it's, you know, more likely to come in contact with people," says Texas Department of State Health spokesperson Chris Van Deusen. 

The Avian Influenza virus known as Bird Flu came in contact with a person in Louisiana, sending them to a hospital. According to the CDC, this is the first severe case linked to the virus.

"It is spread by birds through their body fluids. So, through saliva, through droppings. And that is how if another animal, including a person, comes in contact with that, rubs their eyes or breathes it, and gets that in their body in some way," says Van Deusen.

In Galveston, there was a duck found on the side of the road that tested positive for the bird flu this month.

"Both Harris County and Galveston County this week have announced cases or presumptive cases among migratory birds, and that's how we see it coming into Texas," says Van Deusen.

According to the CDC, since April there has been a total of 61 human cases of bird flu in the United States.

"We actually had a case in Texas back earlier this year, back in the spring. That was a fairly mild case. You may remember that it was a dairy worker who, it seems, was exposed through sick cattle that he was working with," says Van Deusen.

The CDC says those that work with birds and livestock are at higher risk of catching the virus.

"In Austin, a lot of people have those backyard birds and a couple of things they need to do to help protect themselves and their flocks. Make some kind of barrier so that your chickens aren't coming into direct contact with wild birds that may be flying in the area," says Van Deusen.

The CDC adds it is best to avoid contact with sick or dead animals and to wear protective gear around birds and livestock. Symptoms of bird flu are similar to those of the common flu and can be treated with the same medications in some cases.

"Some of the regular antivirals like Tamiflu can be effective either in preventing someone from getting sick after they've been exposed or keeping their illness more mild," says Van Deusen.

There is an ongoing investigation into what led to the severe exposure in Louisiana. That person was exposed to sick birds.