Person infected with bird flu in Missouri had no contact with animals: What to know
A person in Missouri has been infected with bird flu, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday.
A person in Missouri has been infected with bird flu, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday. The adult, who didn't have known contact with poultry or dairy cows, was hospitalized on Aug. 22 and has recovered.
The case adds to growing anxiety about the risk of bird flu spreading among humans, especially since this is the first infection in a person in the U.S. who didn't work with poultry or dairy cows.
The CDC said the risk among the general public remains low.
At least 196 herds of dairy cows in 14 states have confirmed outbreaks of the H5 influenza virus, according to the CDC. Outbreaks among poultry have been detected in 48 states. Based on CDC data, the patient in Missouri is the 15th human case of H5 reported in the U.S. since 2022. Since the beginning of 2024, 14 poultry and dairy workers have been infected. Most had mild flu-like symptoms, including fever or runny nose. Many have had conjunctivitis or pink eye.
No H5 infection in dairy cattle has been reported in Missouri. There have been some cases reported in commercial poultry or backyard flocks and wild birds.
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