NBC News reports that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed a new case of avian influenza in Missouri, where the patient had no known exposure to birds or livestock.
The patient was hospitalized on August 22 and has since recovered. This case raises concerns as it is the first instance of the disease without a history of animal contact. However, the CDC assesses that the risk of community spread remains low.
This is the first case of the disease without a history of animal contact.
Avian influenza primarily spreads among wild birds and poultry but can occasionally infect mammals. Since 2020, various mammals, including badgers, bears, ferrets, pigs, pandas, dairy cattle, and even humans, have been reported as infected. To date, no cases of human-to-human transmission have been identified.
According to the CDC, at least 196 dairy herds in 14 states have reported cases of avian influenza in the U.S. (excluding Missouri). The disease has also been detected in poultry across 48 states.
Missouri health officials reported no abnormal findings regarding human flu cases. Samples taken from the avian influenza patient have been sent to the CDC for further investigation. The patient is an adult with underlying health conditions and tested positive for influenza A, with no evidence of transmission among contacts in recent times.
According to Times Now, the virus causing avian influenza can still spread to people without direct contact with birds, livestock, or wild animals. The pathogen may be airborne through droplets from infected animals, dust from feathers, or dry feces, and can survive on various surfaces such as bird cages, clothing, human skin, or contaminated water. Although human-to-human transmission is rare, it cannot be completely ruled out, especially when in contact with respiratory secretions from infected individuals.
