As of April 1st, 2024, the CDC informed the public of the new influenza virus.

Health officials already were aware of the virus but kept it secret, as health concerns have now been posted as low to moderate. This disease is called bird flu or influenza A. The first incident of the virus in the US was in Texas. The person developed symptoms March 27 from dairy cattle infected with the disease. Humans have so far gotten influenza A airborne by infected birds or cattle; they can also get infected by consuming unpasteurized dairy infected with influenza A. Symptoms for humans infected are respiratory tract infection that can further develop to conjunctivitis, encephalitis, and gastrointestinal symptoms.

From 2023 to April 1, 2024, the World Health Organization has 889 cases worldwide in 23 different countries. Moreover, it has 463 deaths reported. Texas has been a major watch area for the CDC, as their cattle were infected first with Influenza A. Texas has also sold and exported their infected cattle to Michigan and Ohio. The current states the CDC listed to have infected cattle are Texas, Kansas, New Mexico, Michigan, Idaho, and Ohio.

Luckily, the World Health Organization ran tests and collected samples from the first patient in Texas and discovered the virus has no mutations in humans that could further increase transmission of the virus. From February 9, 2022 to March 2024 the CDC estimates around 5,000 people have had contact with the bird flu but are Asymptomatic and show no signs. The virus has been found to affect mammals. Only cattle and wild birds have been confirmed for transmitting the virus, but it has potential to spread throughout species. In all, a new virus is among us which could or could not be deadly.