United States: A concerning event in the ongoing H5N1 avian flu situation recently surfaced in Missouri.
For the first recorded instance, an individual has contracted the virus without any direct contact with ill birds, livestock, or any other animal species.
The direct possibility being considered is that this person acquired the virus from another human, suggesting the virus may be quietly propagating amongst the populace, according to the reports by Daily Mail.
Though this scenario remains improbable, Dr Kruitka Kuppali, representing the Infectious Disease Society of America and a former World Health Organization official, cautioned, “This is how pandemics are ignited.”
Specialists conveyed to DailyMail.com that this occurrence bears “some resemblance” to the origins of prior pandemics while emphasizing that there is currently “no immediate reason to panic.”
For instance, the 2009 swine flu pandemic was identified similarly when two children in California were diagnosed without any interaction with pigs or each other.
Similarly, the initial COVID outbreak in China started with cases of an enigmatic flu-like illness, with no apparent link between early patients in Wuhan.
Missouri’s health authorities have remained tight-lipped about the precise way their ‘patient zero’ contracted the virus but continue to assert that the public’s risk remains “minimal.”
Nonetheless, this case, coupled with the opacity surrounding it, is raising alarm among experts, according to Daily Mail.
Dr Raj Dasgupta, Chief Medical Advisor for Fortune Recommends Health, shared with DailyMail.com: “A lack of transparency from health officials can lead to complications.”
“When people lack clear guidance, they may not recognize symptoms, avoid certain behaviors, or understand how to shield themselves. This confusion paves the way for misinformation, needless fear, and ultimately undermines efforts to manage an emerging health threat.”
Missouri’s patient was identified through the state’s seasonal flu tracking system, which monitors flu prevalence via testing from symptomatic individuals.
Given that bird flu can manifest without symptoms, there may be additional undiagnosed cases among the population.
One hypothesis suggests the patient may have consumed raw milk tainted by the virus.
Raw milk’s rising popularity and research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) indicating that H5N1 particles can persist in refrigerated raw milk for up to five weeks only heighten these concerns.
Approximately 11 million Americans—4% of the population—consume raw dairy products like milk and cheese that bypass pasteurization, a process that eliminates 99.9% of pathogens, as per Daily Mail.
In April, the World Health Organization raised alarms after detecting bird flu in “extremely high levels” in samples of raw milk, though pasteurized versions—found in major retailers—were deemed safe for consumption.
Fitness enthusiasts and wellness influencers have advocated for raw milk, touting its supposed higher vitamin and mineral content compared to its pasteurized counterpart and claiming it is gentler on individuals with asthma or lactose intolerance.
However, the CDC warns that raw milk remains “one of the most hazardous foods” and can carry harmful bacteria, which “could pose serious health risks for you and your family.”
Dr Thomas Peacock, an influenza virologist from the Pirbright Institute in the UK, expressed his concern to Stat News, questioning whether investigators had sufficiently ruled out raw milk consumption. He remarked, “It seems an obvious avenue for a cryptic infection.”
Lisa Cox, a representative for the Missouri Health Department, confirmed the patient had not reported ingesting raw milk. Still, it is unclear if this was thoroughly examined or merely asked of the patient, according to Daily Mail.
Dr Peacock also suggested the possibility of the patient owning an outdoor cat, as several farm cats have succumbed to the virus this year. He postulated that if the individual had a cat, it might have ingested contaminated raw milk.
Raw milk is legal in Missouri but can only be purchased directly from a farm or licensed vendors at farmers’ markets.
However, raw dairy is not the only food that poses a risk.
Dr Darin Detwiler, a food safety authority from Northeastern University and a former FDA and USDA advisor, previously told DailyMail.com that undercooked meats and eggs could also harbor bird flu and other lethal pathogens.
Though the risk remains “quite low,” he stresses the importance of thoroughly cooking these foods to eliminate all potential contaminants. While searing a steak might kill pathogens on the exterior, undercooked interiors could still be at risk, as per Daily Mail.
He also advises caution regarding eggs with runny yolks—whether sunny side up, poached, soft boiled, or over easy—due to the potential for bird flu transmission.
“For avian flu concerns, eggs should be cooked until both the whites and yolks are firm, ensuring they’ve reached a temperature capable of killing any present viruses,” he advised.
According to USDA guidelines, eggs should be cooked to a minimum of 160°F (71°C).
Dr Eve Elizabeth Pennie, a general practitioner and medical contributor for Drugwatch, underscored the necessity of following safe food practices. “While transmission of bird flu through food is rare, it’s always prudent to follow best practices to protect yourself and your family.”
Dr Dasgupta also highlighted the significant risks if human-to-human transmission becomes a reality. “While currently unlikely, should bird flu begin spreading between people, it suggests the virus has mutated or adapted to spread more efficiently, heightening the risk of larger outbreaks or potentially a pandemic,” he explained.