Missouri has reported its first case of H5 bird flu in a person with no known animal contact, marking a concerning development in the US outbreak. The patient, who has underlying health conditions, was hospitalized after testing positive for flu A and later found to have the highly pathogenic avian influenza subtype. This is also the first time someone has been hospitalized with bird flu in the US.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have confirmed the H5 subtype and are investigating further. Officials are concerned about the severity of the disease, the nature of transmission, and who is getting sick. The previous cases in farmworkers were mild, but the potential danger for the wider population, particularly those with underlying health conditions, is worrisome.
Officials will be tracing the patient’s exposures and contacts to understand how the virus spread. Bird flu, usually found in domestic and wild birds, has expanded to circulate in mammals, including dairy cows. Cases of the virus have also been detected in indoor cats and house mice.
This is the 15th case of bird flu in the US since 2022 and the first in Missouri. The patient has recovered and been discharged from the hospital. The Missouri department of health and senior services made the announcement, emphasizing the need for continued monitoring and investigation into the outbreak.
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