A hospitalized patient in Missouri was infected with bird flu, despite not having any known contact with dairy cows or other animals associated with the ongoing outbreak. This marks the 14th case of bird flu in the U.S. since March, when the virus was first detected in cows. The risk to the general public is said to be low, with no unusual flu activity being detected in the U.S., including Missouri. The infected patient, an adult, was hospitalized on August 22 with other medical conditions and tested positive for influenza A, which was later confirmed to be bird flu by CDC officials. The patient received antiviral medication, recovered, and has since gone home. It is unclear whether the hospitalization was due to the bird flu infection or the person’s existing health conditions.
The identity of the infected person, as well as their age and hometown, have not been disclosed by health officials. No close contacts of the patient have been reported to be infected with bird flu. The case raises concerns about how the person could have been exposed to the virus, as all previous U.S. infections have been linked to individuals who had contact with cows and poultry. Bird flu has been detected in around 200 dairy herds in 14 states, but not in Missouri. Additionally, the virus has been found in both commercial and backyard flocks, as well as in wild birds. The person did not report consuming raw milk, which can potentially contain live virus.
The investigation into this case is ongoing, with health officials emphasizing that this is the first instance of bird flu being detected through routine influenza surveillance, rather than through targeted efforts to identify individuals exposed to infected cows and poultry. It is worth noting that the bird flu virus has infected humans worldwide, originating in wild birds and mammals. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that the risk to the general public remains low and that no unusual flu activity has been observed in the U.S. Missouri health department spokesperson Lisa Cox indicated that it is not yet clear whether the hospitalization of the infected person was a result of the bird flu infection or their preexisting medical conditions.
The Associated Press Health and Science Department, supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group, is responsible for reporting on this development. As the investigation continues, health officials are working to understand how this individual was exposed to the bird flu virus. It is crucial for public health measures to be in place to prevent the spread of the virus and protect individuals from further infection. The case in Missouri serves as a reminder of the importance of surveillance and monitoring of infectious diseases to prevent outbreaks and reduce the impact on public health. The infected individual’s recovery and discharge highlight the effectiveness of timely treatment and medical intervention in managing cases of bird flu.
