HOUSTON — H5N1, known as bird flu, has been found in wastewater in Houston. That’s according to the Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute.
The sample was taken between March 1 and March 13 of this year. At this point, the source of the H5N1 isn’t known and there are no human cases reported in the City of Houston.
The Houston Health Department has the following recommendations to keep safe from H5N1.
- Avoid exposure to sick or dead animals.
- Avoid exposure to animal feces, litter, unpasteurized milk, or anything that has been touched by birds or other animals with suspected or confirmed bird flu cases.
- Avoid drinking raw milk.
- Be aware of the risk of exposure to bird flu viruses and take proper precautions if you have a job that would put you in contact with infected or potentially infected birds or other animals.
Houston was one of nine Texas cities where samples taken during the testing period were positive for H5N1.
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