Health officials confirm first human case of H5 bird flu in Missouri

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Health officials have confirmed the first human case of avian influenza A, also known as H5 bird flu , in the state of Missouri.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the case through Missouri’s ongoing influenza surveillance program. Public health officials sent a specimen from a patient who was hospitalized on Aug. 22.

The patient, an adult not identified by name, age, or gender, had underlying medical conditions prior to testing positive.

After the patient tested positive, the Missouri State Public Health Laboratory conducted additional testing to determine the influenza subtype. This resulted in the presumptive detection of the H5 subtype.

H5 is primarily found in wild birds and poultry, and recently in dairy cows and other animals, and can occasionally infect humans through close contact with infected animals or contaminated environments.

Health officials say this is the is the 15th human case of H5 reported in the U.S. since 2022

According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the patient has reported no exposure to animals. The patient has since recovered and was discharged home. Health officials have not released additional information on the patient to ensure privacy.

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