Officials Confirm Bird Flu Case In Missouri Despite Patient Having Had No Known Contact With Animals Linked To Outbreak

The AP (9/6, Aleccia) reported, “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 marks “the 14th person in the U.S. sickened with bird flu since March, when the virus was detected in cows.” The most recent “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 individual “tested positive for influenza A, and CDC officials later confirmed it to be bird flu.” Reuters (9/6, Roy) reported the patient “had underlying medical conditions and was treated with influenza antiviral medications.” The individual “was subsequently discharged and has recovered.” At this point, “there is no immediate known animal exposure and no ongoing transmission among close contacts or otherwise has been identified.”