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beijing, september 8 (xinhua) -- u.s. public health officials confirmed on september 6 that a patient in missouri was infected with the avian influenza virus, but had no contact with cows or other animals infected with the virus. this is the 14th case of human infection with avian influenza found in the united states since march this year.

according to the us centers for disease control and prevention and the missouri department of health, the infected person was hospitalized on august 22, received antiviral treatment for influenza, and was discharged after recovery. the patient tested positive for influenza a but the result was questionable. after review by missouri and us federal laboratories, it was confirmed that he was infected with the avian influenza virus.

since march this year, the bird flu epidemic has continued to spread in the united states, with cases of dairy cows and humans being infected with the virus found in many places. according to data from the u.s. department of agriculture, nearly 200 dairy cow herds in 14 states have been found to be infected with the virus so far.

the infected person in missouri is the first case without a history of contact with animals. according to a statement from the missouri department of health, although cases of avian influenza have been found in poultry or wild birds raised in individual backyards, no cows have been found to be infected with the avian influenza virus in the state. the associated press reported that there are many questions about how this infected person contracted the avian influenza virus. the previously reported infected people in the united states all worked with cattle and poultry.

health officials said this was the first case of bird flu infection to be detected in a routine flu test, rather than a targeted screening of people who had contact with infected cattle or poultry. investigators will continue to trace the source.

despite this, the cdc believes that the risk posed by avian influenza to public health is still low.

the h5n1 avian influenza virus is mainly spread among wild birds and may also infect poultry and livestock, but human infection is uncommon. (bao xuelin)