First human H5N1 case confirmed in Wyoming as bird flu spreads

Robert Besser
21 Feb 2025, 02:08 GMT+10

The state reported its first human case of Type A H5N1 influenza, which is spreading through animals and some people after nearly 70 people in the U.S. were infected with bird flu in the last year
However, researchers and studies suggest that is likely an undercount
A woman from Platte County, Wyoming, caught the virus after her backyard chickens got sick and died

CHEYENNE, Wyoming: The state reported its first human case of Type A H5N1 influenza, which is spreading through animals and some people after nearly 70 people in the U.S. were infected with bird flu in the last year, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

However, researchers and studies suggest that is likely an undercount.

A woman from Platte County, Wyoming, caught the virus after her backyard chickens got sick and died.

Health officials say she likely had direct contact with the birds. She also has other health problems and is now in a hospital in another state.

Dr. Alexia Harrist, the state health officer, said people in Wyoming should not be very worried about this case. The CDC confirmed the infection last week.

Most human cases of bird flu in the U.S. have caused only mild symptoms, but this woman's condition is more serious.

A new CDC study found that bird flu has quietly spread from animals to some veterinarians. The virus has been spreading in wild birds in the U.S. since 2022.

Last year, it was found in dairy cows for the first time and has since infected over 960 cattle herds in 16 states.

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