US Health Officials Report First Human Case of Bird Flu Without Known Animal Exposure
Health officials in the United States have confirmed a human case of bird flu in a patient from Missouri, who exhibited no immediate known animal contact. The patient has since been hospitalized and recovered, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
This incident marks the 14th human case of bird flu reported in the U.S. in 2024 and the first case without a documented occupational exposure to infected animals. The CDC reassured the public that, based on current assessments, the risk remains low for the general population.
Bird flu, primarily a viral disease that affects avian species and other animals, has a rare incidence of human infection. Previously reported cases were linked to direct exposure to infected poultry or livestock, making this Missouri case significant as it highlights a new trend in human transmission without known animal contact.
The patient’s case was identified through routine surveillance during the flu season and involved individuals with underlying medical conditions who responded well to antiviral treatments.
Bird flu cases have surged among cattle in the U.S. this year, beginning with an outbreak in March. As of September 3, 14 states have reported affected cattle. Although outbreaks in Missouri cattle have not been confirmed, poultry and wild birds in the region have had reported cases this year.
Additionally, U.S. health officials had previously documented a human case of bird flu in March 2024, which occurred following exposure to potentially infected dairy cows.
Bird flu was first identified in China in the 1990s and has since spread to every continent, including Antarctica. Health organizations worldwide continue to monitor the situation, maintaining that the current risk to human health remains low despite the disease’s impact on wildlife, including various species of seals, sea lions, and bears.
