United States: A confirmed human infection of Type A H5N1 bird flu has surfaced in southeast Wyoming where an elderly patient now receives medical care at a hospital. Wildlife serves as the main target for the virus transmission yet recent human infections are tracked because of the illness’s concerning seriousness, as reported by NBC News.
First Confirmed Case in Wyoming
Health officials through Wyoming State Health Department determined Platte County was the place where the woman acquired the virus after interacting with backyard chickens. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states the patient has preexisting medical conditions that made her illness more serious. The patient stays in hospital care in an out-of-state facility with technicians tracking her condition.
An older woman in southeast Wyoming is hospitalized with bird flu, state health department officials said Friday.
— Rilwan Balogun (@KPRC2Rilwan) February 16, 2025
It's the state's first human case of Type A H5N1 influenza, which is spreading through animals and some people. https://t.co/QTUEbs7WTp
Health Officials Urge Caution but Not Panic
Dr. Alexia Harrist reassured Wyoming citizens that the overall public risk is minimal although this case involves severe consequences. The current patient has experienced more extreme complications according to Dr. Harrist who stressed that domestic cases usually result in mild health outcomes.
National Bird Flu Trends and Concerns
The CDC has recorded 70 bird flu cases in humans over the past year, although experts believe the actual number may be higher. Recent research shows that the virus has occasionally spread from animals to people, particularly among veterinary workers, as reported by NBC News.
Ongoing Transmission in Animal Populations
Bird flu continues to circulate among wild birds in the U.S., and last year marked the first discovery of the virus in U.S. dairy cows. More than 960 cattle herds across 16 states have been affected, highlighting the virus’s ability to spread across species.