A dairy worker in Texas recently faced a scary bout with bird flu, as revealed in a chilling image capturing his ordeal. The distressing photo showcased both of the worker’s eyes bleeding painfully, with fluid even oozing from one.
The worker first noticed discomfort and redness in his eyes after handling sick cattle late last month. These animals showed symptoms akin to those observed in cows diagnosed with the H5N1 virus in northern Texas, as per a medical report in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Prompt diagnosis by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the worker had contracted the Type A H5N1 strain of bird flu, which is rapidly spreading among livestock.
According to doctors, the worker had only worn gloves, neglecting to use a face mask or eye protection while tending to the animals. Miraculously, the virus seemed confined to his eyes and didn’t affect his lungs.
Despite the alarming eye hemorrhaging, the worker experienced no changes in vision, fever, or other symptoms besides a temporary case of severe pinkeye that cleared up within days.
While this case was relatively mild, it’s important to note that some individuals may develop severe pneumonia, which can be life-threatening. Since 2003, approximately 52% of H5N1 cases in humans have proven fatal, highlighting the seriousness of the virus.
The patient received antiviral treatment and was instructed to isolate to prevent further spread. The CDC reassured the public that the risk of transmission remains low, particularly for those not in close or prolonged contact with infected birds or animals. Additionally, they emphasized that the nation’s meat and dairy supply remains safe.
This incident marks the second known case of H5N1 in the United States, following an earlier case in 2022 involving a prison inmate in Colorado. While avian flu has typically affected birds, recent years have seen an expansion to other mammals, including this unprecedented instance in cattle, as noted by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
