The Wyoming Department of Health announced Friday it had confirmed the state’s first case of bird flu in a human.
The patient, an older adult woman from Platte County, is being hospitalized out of state and represents the third hospitalization related to H5N1 in the United States, according to the department.
Still, the development does not “require a high level of concern among most Wyoming residents,” Dr. Alexia Harrist, state health officer and epidemiologist, said in a press release.
The woman has health conditions that can make people more vulnerable to illness, according to the press release, and she was likely exposed to the virus through direct contact with an infected poultry flock at her home.
“Our staff has followed up with other people who had contact with the flock and the patient, and will continue working with state and national experts to monitor the situation carefully for Wyoming,” Harrist said.
The virus has been known for several years to infect wild birds in Wyoming, and has also been confirmed in mountain lion cubs, snow geese, foxes, great horned owls, bald eagles and chickens.
Last June, the state confirmed its first case infecting dairy cows.
While the risk may be low, the department has several recommendations to avoid contracting the virus. It advises against consuming raw milk, or uncooked or undercooked poultry, eggs and other animal products. The department also recommends avoiding direct contact with wild birds, as well as wild or domestic birds that appear ill or have died.
Sick or dead birds may be reported to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department by calling 307-745-5865.
Infected birds shed virus through their saliva, mucous and feces, according to the department. Human infections can happen if the virus then gets into a person’s eyes, nose or mouth, or is inhaled.
Infections in humans can range from no symptoms to mild illness to severe symptoms, such as pneumonia requiring hospitalization. Signs and symptoms may include fever, chills, cough, sore throat and runny or stuffy nose, among others.
This article was originally published by WyoFile and is republished here with permission. WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on Wyoming people, places and policy.
