First Human Infected with Bird Flu in the USA Without Animal Contact

Health authorities in the USA reported the first case of a person contracting bird flu without contact with infected animals. The adult with an underlying condition was admitted to a Missouri hospital on August 22, treated with antiviral medication for influenza, recovered, and was discharged.

Following an initial abnormal test result, further tests at state and federal labs confirmed the bird flu infection, marking the 14th case in the USA this year and the first without known animal contact. The Missouri health department stated no bird flu infections in dairy herds in the state.

The H5N1 bird flu virus, previously seen in birds, has now spread to mammals, including dairy cattle in the USA. While human bird flu cases raise pandemic concerns, the CDC emphasized the low risk to the population.

The patient received hospital care and was discharged after recovery.