The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has verified a third hospitalization in the U.S. due to bird flu, as announced by Wyoming’s health department. This case involves a woman from Wyoming who was hospitalized in neighboring Colorado. She was experiencing “flu-like symptoms” and possessed underlying health conditions, making her more vulnerable to illness. Wyoming health officials suspect her exposure to the H5N1 virus stemmed from direct contact with an infected poultry flock at her residence.
“We are diligently monitoring the situation in collaboration with state and national specialists,” stated Dr. Alexia Harrist, Wyoming’s state health officer. It remains unclear how many individuals in Colorado might have encountered the virus while traveling.
The patient resides in Wyoming’s Platte County, where the Wyoming Livestock Board recently identified three backyard flocks infected with the virus, specifically the B3.13 strain. State veterinarian Hallie Hasel noted to CBS News that it is unclear if the human case in Colorado also involved B3.13. A CDC spokesperson has not responded to inquiries regarding the virus’s genetic sequencing.
Experts initially believed the B3.13 strain might be less severe for humans. This contrasts with the D1.1 strain, which caused a fatality in Louisiana last month and hospitalized a child in Canada last year. Meanwhile, the first U.S. bird flu hospitalization recorded in Missouri last year involved B3.13, though officials suggested hospitalization occurred for other reasons.
This hospitalization occurs shortly after bird flu was confirmed in Nevada and Ohio, with the former experiencing mild symptoms. Additionally, a pet food recall was issued after the virus spread among cats in Oregon, and the D1.1 strain jumped from birds to cows in Arizona. Before this case, the CDC had confirmed 68 human bird flu cases, predominantly linked to direct contact with infected animals. Despite a surge in seasonal influenza overwhelming hospitals, current data suggests it is routine seasonal strains, not bird flu, driving this seasonal peak. The CDC declared this influenza season the first with “high severity” since 2017.
Vocabulary List:
- Hospitalization /ˌhɒspɪtəlʌɪˈzeɪʃən/ (noun): The act of being admitted to a hospital for treatment.
- Vulnerable /ˈvʌlnərəbl/ (adjective): Capable of being physically or emotionally harmed.
- Suspect /səsˈpɛkt/ (verb): To believe that something is true or likely.
- Confirmed /kənˈfɜːrmd/ (verb): Established the truth or correctness of something.
- Strain /streɪn/ (noun): A variation of a microorganism or virus.
- Symptoms /ˈsɪmptəmz/ (noun): Physical or mental features indicating a condition.
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