The Los Angeles Post
U.S. World Business Lifestyle
Today: April 15, 2025
Today: April 15, 2025

Missouri patient tests positive for bird flu despite no known exposure to animals

Bird Flu
September 06, 2024

A hospitalized patient in Missouri was infected with bird flu despite having had no known contact with dairy cows or other animals associated with an ongoing outbreak, health officials said Friday.

This is the 14th person in the U.S. sickened with bird flu since March, when the virus was detected in cows, after infecting wild birds and mammals worldwide. One other person was infected in 2022.

The risk to the general public remains low, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials said in a statement. No unusual flu activity has been detected in the U.S., including in Missouri, officials said.

The latest case was confirmed after the person, an adult, was hospitalized on Aug. 22 with other medical conditions, officials with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said in a statement.

The person tested positive for influenza A, and CDC officials later confirmed it to be bird flu. The person received antiviral medication and has since recovered and gone home, health officials said. It's not clear whether the hospitalization was caused by the bird flu infection or the person's existing health conditions, said Lisa Cox, a spokesperson for the Missouri health department.

Health officials didn't release the person's name, age or hometown. No close contacts of the person have been infected, CDC officials said.

The case raises questions about how the person was exposed to the virus. All the previous U.S. infections were among people who worked around cows and poultry.

Bird flu has been detected in nearly 200 dairy herds in 14 states, but not in Missouri, according to the Agriculture Department. Bird flu has also been found in commercial and backyard flocks and in wild birds. The person did not report drinking raw milk, which can contain live virus, Cox said.

The investigation is continuing, officials said.

Itโ€™s the first case detected through routine influenza surveillance rather than through targeted efforts to identify people infected with bird flu through exposure to infected cows and poultry, officials said.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Instituteโ€™s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Related Articles

Bird flu virus detected in raw milk in California A look at how some of Trump's picks to lead health agencies could help carry out Kennedy's overhaul What to know about fluoride in drinking water Trump fills out his key public health roles
Share This

Popular

Health|MidEast|Political|World

Israeli airstrike hits hospital entrance in Gaza, killing medic and wounding 9

Israeli airstrike hits hospital entrance in Gaza, killing medic and wounding 9
Health|Political|US

US measles cases are undercounted, experts say, but real numbers are proving hard to pin down

US measles cases are undercounted, experts say, but real numbers are proving hard to pin down
Health|US

Long ER stays are common in the US. It may get worse as the population ages

Long ER stays are common in the US. It may get worse as the population ages
Business|Economy|Finance|Health|Stock Markets

J&J beats Wall Street quarterly sales and profit estimates on cancer drug sales

J&J beats Wall Street quarterly sales and profit estimates on cancer drug sales

Health

Asia|Business|Economy|Health|Political

Tariff wars to hit popular US-made drugs in China, regulator data shows

Tariff wars to hit popular US-made drugs in China, regulator data shows
Health|Political|Science|US

US CDC advisers to review vaccine guidelines after months-long delay

US CDC advisers to review vaccine guidelines after months-long delay
Economy|Europe|Health|Political|Science

High UK visa costs deter international scientists and engineers

High UK visa costs deter international scientists and engineers
Asia|Economy|Environment|Health|World

Extended heatwave in India, Pakistan to test survivability limits, with temperatures reaching Death Valley levels

Extended heatwave in India, Pakistan to test survivability limits, with temperatures reaching Death Valley levels

Access this article for free.

Already have an account? Sign In