Health officials identified the case during routine flu season surveillance. The patient, who had pre-existing health conditions, was treated with antiviral medication for the flu.
The United States has confirmed a human case of bird flu in Missouri, marking the first instance where the patient had no known contact with infected animals. The individual was hospitalized and has since recovered, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
This case is the 14th reported human infection of bird flu in the U.S. this year. However, it stands out as the first without any occupational exposure to infected animals, as the CDC noted. Previous cases in the country were linked to contact with poultry or livestock.
Health officials detected the infection during routine flu season surveillance. The patient, who had underlying health conditions, was treated with antiviral medication, according to a report by the BBC.
Despite the case, the CDC emphasized that the overall risk to the public remains low. Bird flu primarily affects birds and certain animals, with human infections being rare. The virus first emerged in China in the 1990s and has since spread globally, impacting not only birds but also animals such as sea lions, seals, and bears, according to the BBC.
Outbreaks of bird flu have surged this year, particularly affecting cattle in 14 U.S. states as of early September. However, Missouri has not seen any outbreaks in its cattle population, although cases have been reported in poultry and wild birds in the state.
Health experts continue to monitor the virus closely, despite the low risk to humans, due to its significant impact on wildlife across various continents, including Antarctica.