US - Human H5N1 bird flu case confirmed in Missouri - September 06, 2024+

[sharon sanders]

Alexander Tin
@Alexander_Tin


At meeting this week,
@NIAIDNews
's
@DrJeanneM
said of recent bird flu case in Missouri: - "quite nervous" about case - "predisposition to pulmonary infection" - no contact to anything "remotely" tied to H5N1 -
@CDCgov
can't sequence much because high CT https://tinalexander.github.io/notes/2024/09#niaid-director-on-bird-flu-case-in-missouri…

From the above link -



September 11, 2024

NIAID director on bird flu case in Missouri

• Source: recording
• Attribution: meeting of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Advisory Council
• Date: aired September 9, 2024

Jeanne Marrazzo, NIAID [00:28:31]

We heard that there was another case of H5N1 in Missouri.

I’m actually quite nervous about that case. I think that, from what we know, as you probably heard in the news, this case had no known link to exposure to H5N1.

It was a person with underlying predisposition to pulmonary infection, but no contact to anything that could remotely be linked back to a likelihood of H5N1 exposure.

The CDC, I was on a call this morning, is continuing to try to sequence the relative relevant parts of what they got.

Unfortunately, the CT value for the isolate that was retrieved was 38. So they’re really not gonna be able to probably assemble very much of the genome.

That said, it’s almost certainly consistent with the bovine strain. So it is not a mistake it’s real.

And you know, there are no herds infected with H5N1 in Missouri, which further contributes I think to the mystery.

…

Jeanne Marrazzo, NIAID [00:29:58]

It’ll be interesting to see now that birds are migrating back from the Arctic, what their situation is.

It looks like the mortality rate in migrating birds has probably leveled off a bit, which gives us some hope.

I think that they’re not gonna be perhaps as contagious, perhaps, we don’t really know, maybe that’ll decrease the likelihood of a spill over event. We really don’t know.

…

Jeanne Marrazzo, NIAID [00:45:40]

I can tell you the H5N1, I do have more details, some I can’t share, but I will say that if there was suspicion of human to human transmission, the threat level would be elevated considerably.

So there is at this time, no evidence to suggest human to human transmission.

But that is of course our worst fear, because once you go there, then obviously all bets are off.

[sharon sanders]

Alexander Tin
@Alexander_Tin


At meeting this week,
@NIAIDNews
's
@DrJeanneM
said of recent bird flu case in Missouri: - "quite nervous" about case - "predisposition to pulmonary infection" - no contact to anything "remotely" tied to H5N1 -
@CDCgov
can't sequence much because high CT https://tinalexander.github.io/notes/2024/09#niaid-director-on-bird-flu-case-in-missouri…

[sharon sanders]

Alexander Tin
@Alexander_Tin


An update on probe of Missouri human case of H5 bird flu that
@CDCgov
confirmed last week Spokesperson for state health department says: "All contacts remained asymptomatic throughout the observation period." https://tinalexander.github.io/notes/2024/09#missouri-spokesperson-on-testing-of-h5-case

[Pathfinder]

First human case of Avian Flu (H5N1) confirmed in Missouri

The City of St. Louis Department of Health is encouraging extra vigilance and safety precautions

September 10, 2024 | 2 min reading time

With the recent confirmation of Missouri’s first human case of H5N1 Avian Flu [www.cdc.gov] confirmed by the Department of Health and Senior Services, the City of St. Louis Department of Health is encouraging extra vigilance and safety precautions by residents who own or frequently come into contact with domestic birds, such as chickens and ducks, or wild birds.

Wild birds, including crows and various species of songbirds, are the most prominent carriers of the avian flu virus, and evidence has shown that these animals can spread the disease to humans. If you own a flock of chickens, the Department of Health recommends the following precautions:

• Wear protective gear such as gloves and a facemask when coming into direct contact with the birds or their living environment
• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds after handling the animals or items belonging to them
• Keep other animals such as dogs or cats away from the birds
• Report deceased birds that recently suffered an illness to the Missouri Division of Animal Health at (573) 751-3377 or animal.health@mda.mo.gov. Carefully wrap the bird in a plastic bag so that it can be submitted for laboratory testing

Avian flu is most commonly transmitted by direct contact with animals that carry it, whether or not they are displaying symptoms of illness. It is very rare for the disease to be transmitted from person to person.

Household pets, primarily cats, are particularly susceptible to avian flu because of predation of wild birds. If you notice your cat or dog suddenly developing respiratory symptoms, contact your vet immediately - a quick response increases the animal’s chance for recovery and your vet will want to confirm or rule out avian flu.

If you find a deceased wild bird in your yard, place it in a sealed plastic bag for disposal. The department strongly recommends wearing a face mask and gloves when handling deceased birds and washing your hands for at least 20 seconds afterward.

For more information, reach out to the Department of Health at (314) 612-5100 or health@stlouis-mo.gov.

https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/health/news/first-human-bird-flu-case-missouri.cfm

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...now-rcna170010

Person infected with bird flu in Missouri had no contact with animals
The case adds to growing anxiety about the risk of the H5 virus spreading among humans.

Sept. 6, 2024, 6:22 PM EDT
By Berkeley Lovelace Jr.

A person in Missouri has been infected with bird flu, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday. The adult, who didn't have known contact with poultry or dairy cows, was hospitalized on Aug. 22 and has recovered.

The case adds to growing anxiety about the risk of bird flu spreading among humans, especially since this is the first infection in a person in the U.S. who didn't work with poultry or dairy cows.

The CDC said the risk among the general public remains low....

[sharon sanders]

Please see:

Missouri - Cole County - CDC website tracks health factors for communities - August 30, 2024

[sharon sanders]

We count 16 total US cases because we count the two cases described in a research paper. link

FluTrackers 2016+ Global H5N1 Human Cases List

[Pathfinder]

CDC Confirms Human H5 Bird Flu Case in Missouri

STATEMENT

For immediate release: September 6, 2024
CDC Media Relations
(404) 639-3286
media@cdc.gov

September 6, 2024 -- CDC has confirmed a human case of avian influenza A(H5) ("H5 bird flu") reported by the state of Missouri. The case was identified through that state's seasonal flu surveillance system. The specimen was forwarded to CDC for confirmatory testing per usual protocols and confirmed yesterday. An investigation into the potential exposure is ongoing by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS).

Case Information

Missouri DHSS reports that the patient, who was hospitalized, had underlying medical conditions, was treated with influenza antiviral medications, subsequently discharged, and has recovered. There is no immediate known animal exposure. No ongoing transmission among close contacts or otherwise has been identified.

This is the 14^th human case of H5 reported in the United States during 2024 and the first case of H5 without a known occupational exposure to sick or infected animals. H5 outbreaks in cattle have not been reported in Missouri, but outbreaks of H5 have been reported in commercial and backyard poultry flocks in 2024. H5N1 bird flu has been detected in wild birds in that state in the past.

While other novel flu cases have been detected through the country's national flu surveillance system, this is the first time that system has detected a case of H5. Targeted H5-outbreak specific surveillance has been conducted as part of ongoing animal outbreaks and has identified all the other cases. In this case, the specimen from the patient originally tested positive for flu A, but negative for seasonal flu A virus subtypes. That finding triggers additional testing.

CDC continues to closely monitor available data from influenza surveillance systems, particularly in affected states, and there has been no sign of unusual influenza activity in people, including in Missouri.

Identification of the neuraminidase (the "N") in the patient specimen is pending further sequencing. Attempts to sequence the genome of the virus also are underway at CDC.

Based on available data, CDC's current assessment is that the risk to the general public from H5N1 remains low. CDC's recommendations related to H5 virus have not changed at this time. As always, circumstances may change quickly as more information is learned. The results of this investigation will be particularly important in light of the current lack of an obvious animal exposure. It is important to note that, while rare, there have been novel influenza A cases where an animal source cannot be identified. The main concern in these situations is that no onward transmission is occurring. Findings from the ongoing investigation will inform whether guidance changes are needed.

...

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s0906-birdflu-case-missouri.html

[Pathfinder]

September 06, 2024

Human H5 bird flu case confirmed in Missouri


Media Contact:
Lisa Cox
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services


JEFFERSON CITY, MO — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed a human case of avian influenza A (H5) (“H5 bird flu”) detected by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), the first human case detected in Missouri. The risk of sustained transmission or infection among the general public remains low.

The case was identified through DHSS’ ongoing influenza surveillance program. The Missouri State Public Health Laboratory was sent a specimen from a patient who was hospitalized on Aug. 22. The adult patient has underlying medical conditions and tested positive for influenza A. The patient has reported no exposure to animals. The patient has recovered and was discharged home. To ensure patient privacy is maintained, no additional patient information will be provided.

As part of the normal influenza surveillance testing program, the Missouri State Public Health Laboratory conducted additional testing to determine the influenza subtype. This resulted in the presumptive detection of the H5 subtype. The specimen was forwarded to CDC for additional testing and was confirmed as H5 subtype of flu, also known as a bird flu, or avian flu. Additional virus characterization is underway at CDC.

H5 is primarily found in wild birds and poultry, and recently in dairy cows and other animals, and can occasionally infect humans through close contact with infected animals or contaminated environments. This is the fifteenth human case of H5 reported in the U.S. since 2022 (fourteenth this year). No H5 infection in dairy cattle has been reported in Missouri; some H5 cases in commercial or backyard flocks and wild birds have been reported.

Nationally, this is the first case of H5 that has been detected as part of the flu surveillance system, rather than the targeted H5-outbreak specific surveillance that has been conducted as part of ongoing animal outbreaks which has identified all the other cases. Missouri’s flu surveillance system involves a collaborative partnership between clinical laboratories, Missouri health care providers, local public health agencies and the Missouri State Public Health Laboratory. DHSS continues to closely monitor available data from influenza surveillance systems, and there has been no sign of unusual influenza activity in people, including no increase in emergency room visits for influenza and no increase in laboratory detection of human influenza cases in Missouri.


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https://health.mo.gov/news/newsitem/...ed-in-missouri