Texas man who contracted HPAI wasn’t wearing PPE, according to a new report

New details from the New England Journal of Medicine show the Texas dairy worker who fell ill with High-Path Avian Flu (HPAI) was not wearing any protective equipment, or “PPE,” when he contracted the virus.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says the worker had a serious case of pink eye but did not show signs of respiratory issues or fever. The CDC strongly urges farm workers to wear protective gear when working with livestock, especially dairy cattle and poultry, raw milk, sick birds, or other animals.

New pre-published studies link HPAI H5N1 infections in dairy cattle to the mammary gland rather than a respiratory infection, increasing the likelihood that humans and cattle are infected and transmitting the virus in new and different ways.

Related Stories
As AI-driven data centers expand in rural South Texas, local officials and economists debate water use, farmland impacts, and the balance between technology growth and agriculture preservation.
The Farm Monitor takes us along to see how they’re leaning on technology to improve poultry production.
Dixondale Farms produces around 900 million onion transplants each year, shipping them directly to customers and distributors across the country.
Export funding aims to strengthen global demand for U.S. commodities.
Dairy markets are improving, but large supplies still cap the upside.
As data centers expand across Texas, experts and officials weigh economic benefits against concerns over farmland loss, water use, and impacts on agricultural land and rural communities.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

The IRS recently issued its 2024 guidance on the extended replacement period for drought (and other weather-related) livestock sales. RFD-TV Ag Legal & Tax expert Roger McEowen discusses the IRS’ extension of the replacement period for livestock sold due to weather-related conditions.
FarmHER Debra Lockard joined us Friday on the Market Day Report to discuss her upcoming show episode, which premieres on Tuesday, October 1 at 9:00 PM ET, only on RFD-TV!
Meet FarmHER Debra Lockard, a third-generation Tennessee produce grower who splits her time running two farms in West Tennessee and teaching ag classes that promote sustainable farming practices in her Memphis community.
What are some common mistakes that farmers and ranchers make regarding estate planning? Here are a few key ideas to consider from RFD-TV Ag Legal and Tax Expert Roger McEowen with the Washburn School of Law.
RFD-TV Farm Accounting & Tax expert Roger McEowen discusses crucial legal and tax issues for farmers and ranchers to manage operational risks in this Firm to Farm blog post.
Agriculture Shows
Hosted by Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady and RFD News Markets Specialist Tony St. James, Commodity Talk delivers expert insight into the day’s ag commodity markets just before the CME opens. Only on RFD-TV and Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.
A look at the news, weather and commodities headlines that drove agriculture markets in the past week.
Everything profits from prairie. Soil, air, water — and all kinds of life! Learn how you can improve your land with prairie restoration, cover crops and prairie strips, while growing your bottom line.
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.