The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed the first case of severe bird flu in the United States, with the patient hospitalized in Louisiana, ABC News reports.
The individual, over the age of 65 and with underlying health conditions, is experiencing severe respiratory illness linked to the H5N1 bird flu virus and is currently in critical condition, according to the Louisiana Department of Health.
The patient was exposed to sick and dead birds in backyard flocks, marking this the first known human bird flu case in the US tied to backyard poultry. The CDC noted that the virus strain infecting the Louisiana patient is the same one recently found in wild birds and poultry across the US, as well as in human cases in Canada and Washington state. This strain differs from another variant of the virus that has been detected in dairy cows and certain poultry populations.
Since April, the CDC has reported 61 human cases of bird flu in the US, with most involving direct contact with infected animals. Prior to this case, all confirmed bird flu cases were mild, with patients recovering after receiving antiviral medication. The CDC emphasized that while human infections with bird flu are rare, symptoms can range from mild flu-like signs to more severe illnesses like pneumonia, which may require hospitalization.
While the overall risk to the general public remains low and no person-to-person transmission has been detected, those working with birds, poultry, or livestock, or who have recreational exposure to these animals, are at a higher risk. The CDC continues to recommend precautions for these individuals to avoid exposure to potentially infected animals.
In light of the bird flu’s spread, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a federal order last week to collect and test raw milk samples across the country for traces of the virus. This decision follows the discovery of bird flu in raw milk samples from a California farm, which has since been placed under quarantine. California Governor Gavin Newsom also declared a state of emergency to streamline the state’s response to the outbreak, as the CDC has confirmed 33 human cases of bird flu in the state this year.
