Missouri sees first positive bird flu case without known animal contact

In past cases, officials have sought to understand whether human cases are caused by the strain in wild birds and mammals or the one specifically in dairy cows. Photograph: Farlap/Alamy

A person in Missouri with no known animal contact has tested positive for H5 bird flu, the state’s department of health and senior services said Friday.

It’s the first time a patient in the US outbreak has had no known exposure to sick animals. And it is the first time someone has been hospitalized with bird flu – though it’s not clear yet whether influenza was the reason for hospitalization or it was incidental.