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A patient in Missouri has been hospitalized with bird flu despite having no known contact with dairy cows or other animals linked to an ongoing outbreak, health officials announced on Friday. This case marks the 14th instance of bird flu in the U.S. since March, when the virus was first detected in cows and later spread to wild birds and mammals globally. In 2022, there was one other reported case.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasized that the risk to the general public remains low, noting that no unusual flu activity has been detected in the U.S., including Missouri.
The latest patient, an adult, was hospitalized on August 22 due to other existing medical conditions, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. After testing positive for influenza A, CDC officials confirmed it was indeed bird flu.
The patient received antiviral treatment, recovered, and has since been discharged. It remains unclear whether the bird flu or the patient’s other conditions led to the hospitalization, said Missouri health department spokesperson Lisa Cox.
Officials have not released the individual’s name, age, or hometown. The CDC reported that no close contacts of the infected person have shown signs of the virus.
This case raises questions about the source of exposure, as previous U.S. cases involved individuals working with cows and poultry. While bird flu has affected nearly 200 dairy herds across 14 states, including commercial and backyard flocks and wild birds, it has not been detected in Missouri. Cox also noted that the patient did not report consuming raw milk, which can carry the virus.
The investigation into the case is ongoing. Notably, this is the first instance identified through routine influenza monitoring rather than targeted screening of individuals exposed to infected cows and poultry.
The Associated Press Health and Science Department is supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for the content of this report.