U.S. health officials have confirmed a human case of avian influenza in a patient who was found to have had no contact with animals.The Missouri patient was treated at a hospital and has since recovered, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said. According to the CDC, this is the 14th human case of avian influenza in the U.S. in 2024 and the first case without known occupational contact with infected animals.The agency said that based on their current data, the risk to the general population remains low. Avian influenza is a viral disease that primarily affects birds and other animals. Cases of human infection are rare. A case in Missouri was identified during routine surveillance during flu season. The patient had comorbidities and was receiving antiviral medication for influenza. There has been an increase in the incidence of avian influenza in cows in the U.S. this year. The outbreak was first reported in March, and as of Sept. 3, cattle in 14 states had been affected, according to the CDC.
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