The Wyoming Department of Health has confirmed the state’s first human case of H5N1 avian influenza, with an older woman from Platte County testing positive for the virus. The woman’s flock of chickens became infected and died, leading to her hospitalization. This marks the third confirmed U.S hospitalization related to H5N1. While the development is significant, health officials do not believe there is a high level of concern for most residents.
Bird flu has also been detected in dairy cows and various wildlife in Wyoming, with infections reported in cattle herds across multiple states. Infected birds shed the virus through their saliva, mucous, and feces. The current outbreak has resulted in the deaths of at least 100 million birds since 2022, including 22 million in the last month.
Health experts have raised concerns about U.S. readiness to handle the spread of avian flu. The Trump administration has paused the release of key public health studies, hindering research into how the virus spreads to animals and humans. The first American death from bird flu was reported in Louisiana recently.
To protect themselves, people are advised to cook poultry, eggs, and other animal products thoroughly, avoid cross-contamination, and refrain from direct contact with wild birds. The Wyoming Department of Health continues to monitor bird flu activity in the state and across the country.
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