CDC reports first human case of bird flu without animal exposure.

Despite not having any contact with birds, a patient in Missouri was admitted to the hospital with bird flu.

On Friday, the CDC confirmed a positive case of avian influenza A (H5).

According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), the patient with underlying medical conditions was successfully treated with antiviral medications at the hospital and has since been discharged.

The 14th person in three states to contract bird flu in the U.S. this year was the first to do so without any reported exposure to sick or infected animals, according to the CDC.

The prior 13 cases came after exposure to dairy cows or poultry.

The absence of animal exposure in a positive H5 test result is "very concerning," according to Dr. Benjamin Anderson, an assistant professor in the Department of Environmental and Global Health at the University of Florida, who acknowledged that little is known about the case.

The individual may have had indirect exposure to people or products from agricultural settings, according to the source.

"We have not yet determined if the virus sequence is related to the strains found in dairy cattle."

Anderson stated that a comprehensive epidemiological investigation is required to identify all possible exposure routes.

"If our cases of influenza A spike, we need to test more samples to see if some are avian influenza."

"We must closely monitor this."

The concern about human-to-human spread was also expressed by Dr. Edward Liu, the head of infectious diseases at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center in New Jersey.

He informed Planet Chronicle Digital that when that occurs, you won't observe any animal vector or origin.

"The fear is that the avian influenza will become more effective at replicating in humans and spreading through respiratory droplets and secretions."

Liu also emphasized that current testing for avian influenza is limited.

He stated that just because it's influenza A, it doesn't necessarily mean it's avian influenza.

"To confirm avian influenza, we must take an additional step to send it to the state health department or CDC. This suggests that we may only be scratching the surface of the issue. If our cases of influenza A increase, we must test more samples to determine if any are avian influenza."

Dr. Marc Siegel, a senior medical analyst for Planet Chronicle and a clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, stated that although there is no evidence of animal exposure, "it is likely that there was."

He informed Planet Chronicle Digital that there was no evidence of human-to-human transmission at that time.

"Surveillance, wastewater analysis and control in animals are key."

Risk factors

Anderson's biggest concern about bird flu is the possibility of it acquiring the ability to transmit from human to human.

"Influenza viruses can evolve through two methods: accumulation of small point mutations or recombination with other influenza viruses."

The more this influenza virus circulates, the higher the likelihood of recombination, the doctor stated.

Individuals with dairy cow and poultry exposure in areas where bird flu spillovers have been documented are currently at the highest risk, according to Anderson.

The doctor observed that most individuals who have contracted the dairy cow strain of influenza virus have experienced mild infections.

"Nevertheless, we understand that these viruses mutate rapidly, hence the necessity to remain watchful in tracking their spread."

Liu warned that avian influenza may result in a more severe illness than regular influenza.

Although the seasonal influenza vaccine is not currently included in our offerings, it may still provide some protection, he stated.

"Fortunately, current antiviral medications, such as Tamiflu, remain effective against avian influenza."

The doctor stated that, like other flu strains, avian influenza will pose a greater risk to older patients, young children, immunocompromised patients, and those with chronic lung, cardiac or kidney disease.

"If it starts to pass from human to human, it could be a huge problem, but we aren't there."

Bird flu poses no current concern unless it mutates further, according to Siegel.

"He stated that it needs to be closely monitored. If it spreads from person to person, it could cause a significant issue, but we are not at that stage yet."

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On Friday, the CDC declared that the likelihood of contracting bird flu is still low for the general public.

The Missouri DHSS is investigating potential means of exposure related to the ongoing investigation of the specimen from the human patient by the agency.

Planet Chronicle Digital reached out to the Missouri DHSS for comment.