How concerning is it if traces of the bird flu are detected in our wastewater systems?

Two months after the first human case of bird flu was confirmed in the Texas panhandle, the City of Austin reported detecting traces of the virus in its wastewater systems. However, city officials assured the public that there are no human cases, and the risk remains low.

Last Friday, inquired with Harris County Public Health in the Houston area about the presence of the H5N1 virus in the region. As of Monday evening, the county health department had not provided an update.

Chris Van Deusen from the Texas Department of State Health Services explained that even if traces of the virus are found, it does not necessarily indicate human infections. He noted that fragments of the dead virus could be present in pasteurized milk from an infected cow, and if this milk is poured down the drain, the virus fragments could end up in wastewater systems.

“The way most wastewater testing is done is through a PCR test, which detects fragments of the genetic material in a virus. This does not necessarily mean it’s a live virus,” Van Deusen said. “One possibility is that milk from cows in another part of the state is being disposed of in our sewer systems.”

He emphasized that pasteurized milk from an infected cow does not pose a risk to humans, as pasteurization kills viruses and bacteria.

According to Texas DSHS, there have been no additional human cases reported in Texas since the first one in April. The infected dairy worker recovered quickly, experiencing only conjunctivitis, a mild eye infection. Since then, two other mild cases have been reported in Michigan.

Currently, the virus is not spreading from human to human, reducing concerns about transmission. However, Van Deusen noted that viruses can mutate, and Texas DSHS will continue to monitor the situation.

Experts recommend that individuals working with farm animals take precautions such as wearing protective goggles, masks, and coveralls to prevent infection.

“This shouldn’t be the first thing the average person considers if they get sick. It’s more likely to be a cold, seasonal flu, or another respiratory illness,” Van Deusen said.