A Missouri patient became the first in the U.S. to contract bird flu without known exposure to infected animals, raising concerns about potential human-to-human transmission. The individual, who had underlying conditions, was hospitalized, treated with antiviral medications, and has since recovered. The CDC confirmed this 14th U.S. case of bird flu this year, with all previous cases linked to sick animals, mainly poultry and cattle. Experts stress the need for thorough epidemiological investigations to understand the infection source and potential virus mutation. The CDC maintains that the risk to the general public remains low but advises precautions such as avoiding contact with sick animals and consuming only pasteurized dairy products.