The case adds to growing concern about the risk of bird flu spreading to humans.
A person in Missouri has contracted bird flu without contact with poultry or dairy cows, as has happened previously, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. Health officials said the adult, who has not been identified, was hospitalized Aug. 22 and has since recovered.
The case adds to growing concern about the risk of bird flu spreading to humans, especially as this is the first infection in a person in the country who does not work with animals. It is also the 14th person to fall ill with H5N1 since March this year, when the virus was detected in cows, after infecting birds and wild mammals around the world.
However, the CDC said in a statement that the risk to the general public so far remains low as no unusual flu activity has been detected across the United States, including Missouri.
The outbreak spread to 48 states
The CDC says at least 196 dairy herds in 14 states have confirmed outbreaks of the H5N1 influenza virus. Outbreaks have been detected among poultry in 48 states. No avian influenza has been reported in dairy cattle in Missouri. A few cases have been reported in commercial poultry or backyard birds and in wild birds.
The Missouri State Public Health Laboratory received a sample from the patient, Missouri health officials said in the statement. The sample was sent to the CDC for further testing. Officials said the patient has underlying medical conditions and tested positive for influenza A. However, no transmission of the virus has been identified among the patient’s close contacts.
Officials said the investigation is continuing. It is the first case detected through routine influenza surveillance rather than through targeted efforts to identify people infected with bird flu from exposure to infected cattle and poultry, officials said.
What is bird flu?
Also known as avian influenza, bird flu is an infection caused by a type of virus that spreads between birds and other animals. It is extremely rare for it to spread from person to person. You may hear about bird flu when there is an outbreak affecting a large number of birds or other animals. This is concerning because it increases the risk of human infection, can affect wildlife, and can reduce the food supply.
Signs and symptoms of bird flu
Some signs and symptoms of bird flu include:
- High fever
- Recurrent fatigue
- Cough
- Muscle and body aches.
- Sore throat
- Diarrhea
- Feeling of nasal congestion and discharge
- Shortness of breath
- Conjunctivitis or pink eye in very few people
The virus infects the upper respiratory tract and lungs and can even spread to other parts of the body, such as the brain, if you come into contact with bodily fluids from an infected animal, such as saliva, respiratory droplets, or droppings. You can inhale it through small dust particles in animal habitats, or it can get into your eyes, nose, or mouth after touching bodily fluids.
However, doctors say you cannot get bird flu from eating well-cooked poultry or eggs. All poultry known to have the bird flu virus is immediately removed from the human food supply.
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