Just days after the CDC reassured people that the risk of contracting bird flu remains low among humans, the agency reported the first case of severe illness caused by an infection in the United States.
Iowa has its first human case of the bird flu in the current outbreak, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services said in a late Friday news release.
The release said the person had been exposed to infected poultry while working with a commercial flock in northwest Iowa, and was recovering after being treated for mild symptoms.
There so far have been 64 confirmed human cases in nine states in the outbreak that began in 2022, according to federal health officials. Only one, reported in Louisiana last week, has been severe, and all of the cases have been attributed to either exposure to infected poultry or dairy cattle, with no known human-to-human transmission of the disease.
"Iowa has monitored the spread of avian influenza closely since it was first detected in poultry in the state in 2022," Iowa State Medical Director Dr. Robert Kruse said in the release. "Our state is prepared with the established knowledge, strong partnerships, and effective tools to mitigate its impact on our community."
Those exposed to bird flu may develop flu-like symptoms or an eye infection. To mitigate the spread, those handling infected birds and poultry should wear proper protective fear and avoid direct contact with sick or dead animals, the release said.
There is no concern about eggs, poultry products or pasteurized milk and dairy products containing the virus.
There has been a recent resurgence of bird flu in laying hens and turkeys in Iowa after months without detections. It is believed to be transmitted by wild birds, and so far has been concentrated in northwest Iowa.