Missouri Bird Flu Case Puzzles Experts, 14th U.S. Diagnosis This Year

A Missouri individual contracted bird flu last week, marking the 14th U.S. case this year, according to the CDC. Unlike other cases linked to farm workers, the origin of this infection remains unidentified. Ongoing investigations aim to determine any connection to recent bird flu outbreaks in dairy cattle.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Thursday that epidemiologists have yet to determine how a person in Missouri contracted bird flu last week.

This case marks the 14th to be diagnosed in the U.S. this year. The previous 13 cases were linked to bird flu outbreaks among farm workers on poultry or dairy farms. The infected individual was admitted to the hospital with symptoms including chest pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, disclosed CDC principal deputy director Nirav Shah during a call with reporters.

It remains unclear whether the patient's symptoms were a result of bird flu or underlying conditions. Investigations are ongoing, and CDC has not confirmed if the case is tied to the recent bird flu outbreaks in dairy cattle, Shah added. "Right now, evidence points to this being a one-off case." The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that since March, bird flu has affected over 200 dairy herds across 14 states.

(With inputs from agencies.)