Four more health care workers ill after caring for bird flu case in Missouri

Four additional health care workers in Missouri have reported mild respiratory illness symptoms after caring for a patient hospitalized with H5N1 bird flu in August. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not confirmed whether these workers were infected with the virus, as they were not tested during their illness. This situation raises concerns about potential person-to-person transmission, which experts believe warrants further investigation. The CDC continues to monitor influenza activity and currently assesses the risk to the general public as low. To date, a total of seven individuals, including a household member and six health care workers, have been identified as having experienced illness after contact with the confirmed case. One health worker tested negative for influenza. Blood samples from the affected health care workers are being sent to the CDC for antibody testing. The Missouri Department of Health is conducting follow-up interviews with health workers who had contact with the patient. The H5N1 outbreak has affected 14 states, with 239 herds testing positive for the virus, although the true extent of the outbreak may be underestimated.

- Four health care workers in Missouri reported respiratory illnesses after caring for an H5N1 patient.

- The CDC has not confirmed if these workers were infected with the virus.

- Concerns about potential person-to-person transmission are being investigated.

- A total of seven individuals have been identified as having fallen ill after contact with the confirmed case.

- The H5N1 outbreak has affected 14 states, with 239 herds testing positive.