Health authorities in the United States have confirmed a case of bird flu in a human who didn’t have any contact with animals.
The patient, located in Missouri, received hospital treatment and has since recovered, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
This is the 14th human case of bird flu in the US in 2024, but it is the first case where there is no record of the patient being exposed to infected animals, which is typically a key factor in human bird flu cases.
Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, primarily affects birds but can infect other animals and humans. Human cases are relatively rare, usually from contact with infected farm animals.
However, the Missouri case represents the first instance of the H5 strain of bird flu being detected without known exposure to sick animals, according to a CDC statement released on Friday.
This case was identified during routine surveillance for flu during the flu season. The patient had pre-existing health conditions and was treated with antiviral medication typically used for flu cases.
In 2024, bird flu has increasingly affected cattle in the US, with outbreaks reported since March. By early September, cases had spread to 14 states, according to the CDC.
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