Information for the Public

Public health officials believe the risk to the public is low. The two human cases of influenza A(H5N1) in the U.S., in 2022 and 2024, were both linked to direct contact with a sick animal, and it is extremely rare for H5N1 viruses to spread from person to person. While it is possible that avian flu could adapt to spread more easily among people in the future, genetic testing shows that is not the case with the virus that caused these infections.

People who work directly with animals that may be infected with influenza A(H5N1) should wear personal protective equipment to limit their possible exposure to the virus. (Visit our FAQ for Farmers and Dairy Workers for additional information.) The public should continue to protect themselves and limit the spread of seasonal flu and other respiratory illness by washing their hands frequently with soap and water, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when sick.

Yes. All milk sold in stores is pasteurized, which means it is heated to a hot enough temperature for a long enough time to kill bacteria and viruses that can make people sick, including flu viruses. Additionally, only milk from healthy animals is allowed to be sold for human consumption.

It is safest to drink pasteurized milk and consume dairy products made with pasteurized milk because it has been treated to kill bacteria and viruses. People should not prepare or consume uncooked or undercooked products from animals with suspected or confirmed avian influenza infection.

No. These farms only produce milk that is pasteurized and then becomes part of the commercial milk supply. Milk from affected animals is being diverted or destroyed so that it does not enter the milk supply.

There is no indication beef cattle have been affected, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture is confident that the meat supply is safe. As always, public health officials encourage consumers to properly handle raw meats and to cook to a safe internal temperature to kill bacteria and viruses.

We don’t know at this point. Further environmental and genetic testing may be able to identify the most likely points of transmission.

Several feral cats on dairy farms where the virus was found tested positive for avian influenza. At this time, we don’t know if the cats were infected through contact with infected birds, by drinking milk from infected dairy cows, or in some other way. We are learning more about how cats can become infected with avian influenza.

No, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, commonly known as “mad cow disease,” is a completely different condition and is not a viral disease like influenza. It has not been detected in Texas in approximately 20 years.

Texas public health laboratories can perform preliminary influenza A testing. Confirmatory testing can only be done by the CDC. If you suspect you have avian influenza A(H5N1), contact your health care provider for evaluation. If necessary, your provider will contact your local health department and request testing.

If a health care provider suspects a patient has avian influenza, they should consult with their local health department immediately for guidance on sample submission. 

Current recommendations for avian influenza A(H5N1) testing are nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs and, if conjunctivitis is present, an ocular sample utilizing the same type of swab. It is recommended that the samples be paired (both NP and ocular samples) when applicable.