US records case of bird flu not transmitted through animals

NBC News quoted the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as saying that it had recorded a new case of bird flu with no contact with poultry or livestock in the state of Missouri.

The patient was admitted to the hospital on August 22 and has since recovered. This case has raised concerns because it is the first case of the disease without a history of animal contact , however, the CDC believes that the risk of the disease spreading in the community remains low.

 This is the first case of the disease with no history of animal contact.

Avian influenza mainly spreads among wild birds and poultry, but sometimes the virus also infects mammals. Since 2020, the world has recorded cases of animals including badgers, bears, minks, pigs, pandas, dairy cows, and even humans. To date, no cases of human-to-human transmission have been detected.

According to the CDC, the US has so far recorded at least 196 dairy herds in 14 states with avian influenza (not Missouri). The disease has also appeared in poultry in 48 states.

Missouri health officials said they have not detected any unusual flu cases in humans. Samples from the patient with bird flu have been sent to the CDC for further study. The case is an adult with underlying health conditions who tested positive for influenza A. There has been no evidence of transmission among people who have been in contact with the patient in the past.

According to Times Now, the virus that causes bird flu can still spread to people who do not come into contact with poultry, livestock or wild animals . The pathogen can be in the air through droplets from infected animals, dust from feathers or dry feces, and exist on many surfaces such as bird cages, clothes, human skin or in contaminated water. The possibility of human-to-human transmission is rare but cannot be ruled out , especially when in contact with respiratory secretions of patients.