Askume, Sept 6 – The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday confirmed a human case of avian influenza A in Missouri.
The case was detected through the state’s seasonal influenza surveillance system, the agency said.
The CDC report said the case was confirmed Thursday and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is investigating the possible exposure.
The hospitalised patient had some pre-existing health issues and was treated with influenza antiviral drugs. The patient was later discharged and recovered.
There is currently no history of contact with animals, and no transmission has been detected through close contact or other means.
This is the 14th human H5 case reported in the United States in 2024 and the first H5 case without known occupational contact with a sick or infected animal.
CDC. Although the nation’s national influenza surveillance system has detected other new influenza cases, this is the first time the system has detected an H5 case.
H5 avian influenza is widespread in wild birds around the world and has caused outbreaks in poultry and US dairy cows, with several recent cases reported on US dairy farms and among poultry workers.
In 2024, H5 outbreaks have been reported in commercial and backyard poultry flocks, but no H5 outbreaks have been reported in cattle herds in Missouri.
The last case of avian influenza in commercial poultry in Missouri was reported in February, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Earlier, the H5N1 avian influenza virus was also detected in wild birds in the state.
Outbreaks of the H5N1 virus in dairy cows have been reported in 14 states in the United States.
The virus spreads from birds to cattle, raising concerns that it could also spread to humans.
CDC. It states that based on available data, H5N1 poses a low threat to the public.
