A farmworker in Texas tested positive for avian influenza A(H5N1) earlier this week, marking the second confirmed case of human infection linked to the current outbreak affecting dairy cattle, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The case, reported by the New England Journal of Medicine, involved a person who had direct contact with infected dairy cows. The individual experienced mild symptoms and has since recovered. The first confirmed case, announced late last month, likewise involved a farmworker in Texas with similar exposure and a mild illness. Both cases prompted increased testing and monitoring of farmworkers in affected states.
The outbreak, initially detected in late March 2024, has spread to dairy herds in several states, including Texas, Kansas, Michigan, and New Mexico. The virus, typically found in wild birds, has historically posed a limited risk to humans. However, the emergence of H5N1 in cattle and subsequent transmission to humans has raised concerns among public health officials and prompted calls for expanded testing of agricultural workers. Advocates are pushing for more comprehensive surveillance to understand the extent of the virus’s spread and potential for further human infections, as reported by CalMatters.
The CDC is currently monitoring the situation closely and working with state and local health departments to conduct testing and provide guidance to farms and workers. The agency emphasizes that the current risk to the general public remains low, but recommends that individuals avoid contact with sick or dead animals and practice good hygiene, such as frequent handwashing.
The novel strain of the virus continues to threaten both animal and public health, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. The jump of the virus to mammals, specifically dairy cows, is an unusual development and suggests the virus may be adapting to new hosts. This adaptation raises concerns about the potential for further mutations that could increase the virus’s transmissibility to humans.
As of February 20, 2026, the CDC has not reported any additional confirmed human cases beyond the two in Texas. However, surveillance efforts are ongoing, and the agency continues to assess the evolving risk posed by the virus. The CDC has stated that it is providing updates as the situation develops, but has not yet announced any changes to public health recommendations.
