Bird flu outbreak suspected in Texas dairy farmers... experts warn human cases ... trends now
View
comments
Experts have warned that human transmission of bird flu may be far more widespread than thought, as farmers in Texas and Wisconsin are reported to have symptoms of the virus but are avoiding testing.
Dr Barb Petersen, a dairy veterinarian in Amarillo, Texas, explained that workers at a local farm where cattle have tested positive for the virus are suffering tell-tale symptoms.
She said: 'People had some classic flu-like symptoms, including high fever, sweating at night, chills, lower back pain,' as well as upset stomach, vomiting and diarrhea.
They also tended to have 'pretty severe conjunctivitis and swelling of their eyelids'.
The USDA revealed it was collecting samples of ground beef at grocery stores in states with outbreaks, which will then be analyzed for the virus (stock)
The above map shows states with infected cattle. A total of 34 herds have had cases of the virus reported
The above graph shows human cases of avian influenza globally reported by year. The colors represent different countries with the light blue being Egypt and the orange being Cambodia
Meanwhile, veterinary researchers in Wisconsin — where the virus has infected cows — have reported multiple cases of local farmers suffering bird flu-like symptoms.
But farmers are notoriously reluctant to seek medical help, meaning 'a lot of cases are not
