Missouri Reports First Human Case of Bird Flu Without Known Animal Exposure in the U.S.
U.S. health officials have confirmed a rare human case of bird flu, with the patient showing no apparent exposure to infected animals. The individual, located in Missouri, was hospitalized, treated, and has since recovered, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This case marks the 14th human bird flu infection in the U.S. this year and is the first where there was no obvious contact with sick animals.
Despite this unusual occurrence, the CDC assures the public that the risk of widespread transmission remains low. Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, primarily affects birds but can occasionally jump to humans. Historically, human infections in the U.S. have been linked to direct contact with infected poultry or livestock. However, the Missouri case is the first instance of H5 bird flu being detected in a person with no known occupational exposure to infected animals.
The case was identified during routine flu season monitoring, with the patient having underlying health conditions. The individual was treated with antiviral medications typically used to combat flu infections and responded well to the treatment.
Although no outbreaks have been reported in Missouri’s cattle, poultry in the state has been affected by bird flu this year, along with sporadic reports in wild bird populations. Across the U.S., an increase in bird flu cases, especially among cattle, has been observed. The first outbreak of 2024 was detected in March, with 14 states affected as of early September.
The origins of bird flu trace back to China in the 1990s, and since then, the virus has spread globally, even reaching Antarctica. While the risk to humans remains minimal, health authorities continue to closely monitor the virus due to its potential to infect various animal species, including sea lions, seals, and bears. The CDC and global health organizations have kept a vigilant eye on the virus to manage any emerging threats to public health.
