A hospitalized affected person in Missouri was contaminated With bird flu Regardless of no identified contact with dairy cows or different animals linked to the continuing outbreak, well being officers mentioned Friday.
That is the 14th individual in America who’s affected by it Bird flu Since March, when the virus was detected in cows, after infecting wild birds and mammals worldwide. One other individual was contaminated in 2022.
Nevertheless, the US Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention said in a statement that it was the primary of these 14 “with none identified occupational contact with sick or contaminated animals.”
The chance to most of the people stays low, the CDC mentioned. Officers mentioned no uncommon flu exercise has been detected within the U.S., together with Missouri.
Officers with the Missouri Division of Well being and Senior Companies mentioned in an announcement that the most recent case was confirmed after an grownup was hospitalized on Aug. 22 with different medical circumstances.
The person examined constructive for influenza A, and CDC officers later confirmed it was fowl flu. The person obtained antiviral medicine and has since recovered and gone dwelling, well being officers mentioned.
It isn’t clear whether or not the hospitalization was brought on by a fowl flu an infection or the individual’s present well being circumstances, Missouri Division of Well being spokeswoman Lisa Cox mentioned.
Well being officers didn’t launch the person’s title, age or hometown. No shut contacts of the individual have been contaminated, CDC officers mentioned.
The case raises the query of how the individual was uncovered to the virus. All earlier US infections have been amongst individuals who labored round cows and poultry.
Chicken flu has been discovered To date this 12 months in about 200 dairy herds in 14 states, however not in Missouri, in accordance with the U.S. Division of Agriculture. Chicken flu has additionally been present in business and yard flocks and wild birds. The person didn’t report ingesting uncooked milk, which might include the reside virus, Cox mentioned.
Officers mentioned that the investigation is ongoing.
Officers mentioned that is the primary case detected via routine influenza surveillance fairly than via focused efforts to determine individuals contaminated with fowl flu who come into contact with contaminated cows and chickens.
