An older woman in southeast Wyoming has been hospitalized with bird flu, marking the state’s first confirmed case of Type A H5N1 influenza. The infection, which has been spreading among animals and some humans, was likely contracted through direct contact with an infected poultry flock at her home in Platte County. The woman, who has underlying health conditions, is currently hospitalized in another state. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the case on Friday. While nearly 70 people in the U.S. have been reported to have contracted bird flu over the past year, the true number is believed to be higher. Dr. Alexia Harrist, Wyoming’s state health officer, reassured residents that they shouldn’t be overly concerned about this isolated case.
Most confirmed human cases of bird flu in the U.S. have been mild. However, Dr. Alexia Harrist noted that this patient’s condition has been much more severe.
A recent study revealed that bird flu has quietly spread from animals to certain veterinarians. The virus has been circulating in wild birds across the U.S. since 2022, and it was first detected in U.S. dairy cows last year. Since then, it has affected over 960 cattle herds in 16 states.
