Health officials from the state of Wyoming have reported a disturbing case of bird flu affecting an elderly woman in a town in the southeast region. This marks the first instance of a human contracting Type A H5N1 influenza in the state, a strain that has been spreading among animals and, to a lesser extent, some individuals. Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that nearly 70 people in the country have fallen ill with bird flu over the past year, although experts believe this number may be an underestimate.
According to a spokesperson from the CDC, the woman in question had a backyard flock of chickens that became sick and perished. It is believed that the woman, who resides in Platte County, Wyoming, had direct contact with her ailing flock. Additionally, she is reported to have other underlying health conditions and is currently receiving treatment in a medical facility located in another state.
Dr. Alexia Harrist, the state health officer and epidemiologist, sought to reassure the public by stating that Wyoming residents need not be overly alarmed by this isolated human case of bird flu. The confirmation of the test results was provided by the CDC on Friday, indicating the presence of the virus in the affected individual.
While most documented cases of bird flu in humans within the U.S. have presented with mild symptoms, the woman in Wyoming has experienced a more severe illness, as highlighted in an official news release by Dr. Harrist. A recent study released by the CDC has revealed instances of bird flu transmission from animals to certain veterinarians, shedding light on potential avenues of infection.
The spread of bird flu among wild birds in the U.S. has been ongoing since 2022, with the virus making its first appearance in dairy cows in the country just last year. To date, more than 960 cattle herds across 16 states have been affected by the virus.
*The Associated Press Health and Science Department is supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP bears full responsibility for the content presented.*
