Hen flu confirmed in Wyoming girl who doubtless had contacted with contaminated residence flock

An older girl in southeast Wyoming is hospitalized with hen flu, state well being division officers stated Friday.

It’s the state’s first human case of Sort A H5N1 influenza, which is spreading by animals and a few folks. Practically 70 folks within the U.S. have been reported contaminated with hen flu within the final yr, in line with information from the U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, although researchers and research recommend that’s doubtless an undercount.

The lady had a yard flock of chickens that bought sick and died, a CDC spokesperson stated Saturday. The state well being division stated the girl, who lives in Platte County, Wyoming, doubtless had direct contact with the flock. It stated she additionally has different well being situations and is hospitalized in one other state.

Dr. Alexia Harrist, the state well being officer and state epidemiologist, stated Wyoming residents shouldn’t have “a excessive degree of concern” in regards to the human case, the take a look at outcome for which was confirmed by a CDC on Friday.

Most confirmed human instances of hen flu throughout the U.S. got here with gentle signs.

“Sadly, this affected person’s expertise has been far more severe,” Harrist stated within the information launch.

A brand new research printed by the CDC confirmed hen flu has silently unfold from animals to some veterinarians.

Hen flu has been spreading in wild birds within the U.S. since 2022. The virus was detected for the primary time in U.S. dairy cows final yr. It has contaminated greater than 960 cattle herds in 16 states.

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The Related Press Well being and Science Division receives assist from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Academic Media Group and the Robert Wooden Johnson Basis. The AP is solely liable for all content material.