Missouri Reports First Human Case of H5N1 Bird Flu with No Animal Exposure

Sep 6, 2024, 08:28 PM

Missouri has reported its first human case of H5N1 bird flu, marking the 15th case in the United States since 2022. The patient, who had no known exposure to animals, was detected through standard flu surveillance systems rather than specialized bird flu monitoring. The Missouri Department of Health and the CDC have confirmed the case, emphasizing that the risk of widespread transmission remains low. The patient, who had underlying conditions, has fully recovered and been discharged from the hospital. An investigation into the potential exposure is ongoing. This is the 14th case in the United States in 2024, according to the Missouri gov. statement.