A new variant of bird flu has infected a dairy worker in Nevada, marking the state’s first human case. The worker was exposed to the D1.1 strain while working with infected cattle in Churchill County.
According to the Central Nevada Health District, there are no additional confirmed cases in the state and no evidence that humans can transmit the virus to other humans. Officials are monitoring the symptoms of the infected worker and offering testing, antiviral medication, and personal protective equipment to farm staff who have been exposed.
The US Department of Agriculture confirmed that the new variant had infected dairy herds in Nevada after previously only appearing in wild birds. The D1.1 strain poses a low health risk to the general public, but people regularly exposed to birds or animals are at higher risk.
One reported death from the D1.1 bird flu strain occurred in Louisiana, where an adult with underlying health issues died after contracting the virus from a backyard flock. A 13-year-old girl in Canada also contracted the virus and required hospitalization.
According to the World Health Organization, there have been 950 human cases of bird flu outside the US since 2003, resulting in 464 deaths. Most human cases involve mild symptoms like eye infections.
To avoid contracting bird flu, health experts recommend preventing exposure by avoiding direct contact with wild birds and animals that may be infected. Eggs and chicken meat are considered safe to eat, but raw milk should be avoided due to the risk of contamination.
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Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2025/02/11/bird-flu-strain-d11-nevada/78428050007