First US case of bird flu without animal contact confirmed

US health authorities announced the first confirmed case of bird flu in a person who had no known contact with animals.

The patient, an adult, was hospitalized in Missouri on August 22.

Given the unusual circumstances of the case, additional tests were conducted, confirming the presence of bird flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health authorities.

This case, the fourteenth bird flu case reported in the US this year, marks a significant development, as previous human cases in the US were linked to poultry or cattle farms.

Reports indicate there has been no transmission of the virus to close contacts or others, as noted by AFP.

Experts are increasingly concerned about the rising number of bird flu cases among birds, although human infections remain rare.

There is apprehension about a potential mutation that could allow the virus to spread between people.

The bird flu outbreak, initially detected in the spring, has primarily affected poultry and birds but has also been observed in cattle. The first human case linked to bird flu through cattle was reported in Texas on April 1.

However, there have been no reported cases of bird flu in cattle in Missouri.

Health authorities have stated that the risk to the general population remains low and have not updated their recommendations regarding the outbreak at this time.