The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed the first human death from H5N1 bird flu in the United States. The individual, aged over 65 with underlying medical conditions, passed away after being hospitalized with the flu. The infection was linked to exposure to a backyard flock of birds and wild birds.
Health officials in Louisiana stated that their investigation did not uncover any other human cases associated with this patient's infection. Experts have long warned about the severity of the H5N1 virus, with Dr. Richard Webby from St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital describing it as one of the most aggressive forms of the virus.
Since 2003, there have been approximately 900 reported human cases of bird flu globally, with a high fatality rate of around 50%. However, experts believe that mild cases may not be accurately reflected in this statistic. Even with a lower fatality rate, the virus remains a serious concern.
A recent study by the CDC on H5N1 cases in the US found that most were mild and linked to exposure to infected farm animals. The Louisiana patient was infected with the D1.1 clade of the virus, which is circulating in wild birds and poultry.
The CDC is closely monitoring the situation and investigating the genetic changes in the virus that infected the patient. While the evolution of the virus is concerning, the overall risk to the public remains low, according to CDC officials.
Health officials advise people who work with animals or keep backyard birds to be cautious and watch for symptoms after exposure. Precautionary measures include avoiding contact with sick animals, cooking animal products thoroughly, and reporting any sick or dead animals to the authorities.
