Missouri Reports Bird Flu in a Patient Without a Known Risk

What is Bird Flu?

Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a contagious viral infection that can affect birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys. The virus can also be transmitted to humans, but this is rare.

Symptoms of Bird Flu

Symptoms of bird flu in humans can include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Muscle aches
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
• Pneumonia
• Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)

Treatment for Bird Flu

There is no specific treatment for bird flu, but antiviral medications can help to reduce the symptoms and shorten the duration of the illness.

Prevention of Bird Flu

The best way to prevent bird flu is to avoid contact with infected birds or their bodily fluids. You should also wash your hands thoroughly after handling birds or their products.

Recent Case of Bird Flu in Missouri

On April 26, 2022, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) announced that a patient in the state had tested positive for bird flu.

The patient had no known risk factors for bird flu, such as contact with infected birds or travel to an area where bird flu is known to be circulating.

The DHSS is investigating the case to determine how the patient became infected.

This is the first case of bird flu in a human in Missouri since 2015.

The DHSS is urging Missouri residents to take precautions to prevent the spread of bird flu, including avoiding contact with infected birds and washing their hands thoroughly after handling birds or their products.