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bird flu missouri

 

Flock of brown chickens and roosters inside a coop near a red hanging feeder, showcasing poultry farming and livestock

 bird flu missouri

The recent bird flu situation in Missouri involves the first human case of H5N1 avian influenza in the state, confirmed in September 2024. The patient was hospitalized on August 22, 2024, and tested positive for the H5 subtype of bird flu. This individual has since recovered after receiving antiviral treatment. The infection was detected through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services' influenza surveillance system, and it was later confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Key Details:

  1. Nature of Infection:

    • The patient reported no direct contact with infected animals, which makes this case unusual since H5N1 typically spreads to humans through close contact with infected poultry or wild birds.
    • H5N1 is primarily an avian flu that affects birds but can, in rare cases, infect humans.

  2. Transmission and Risk:

    • Human infections with H5N1 are rare but can happen when people are in close proximity to infected birds or contaminated environments.
    • The CDC has assured that the public health risk remains low, with no significant risk of human-to-human transmission detected in this case.
    • No other human cases have been reported among those who had close contact with the patient.

  3. Bird Flu in Missouri:

    • Outbreaks of bird flu have been reported in Missouri in both wild birds and some commercial and backyard poultry flocks. These outbreaks have led to preventive measures to stop the spread among birds but had not involved human cases until this incident.

  4. Ongoing Monitoring:

    • The Missouri health department and CDC are continuing to monitor for any additional cases and are investigating the possible source of the infection. Officials are emphasizing public awareness about avoiding contact with sick or dead birds and maintaining good hygiene if handling poultry.

Though this is the first human H5N1 case in Missouri, the state's agricultural sector has dealt with avian flu outbreaks among birds before, as the virus has affected bird populations globally since the early 2000s​(

Peoplemag
)​(
KSMU
).

Would you like more details on avian flu prevention or how it typically spreads among birds?

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