First Reported Human Fatality from Bird Flu in the US
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Los Angeles, Jan 7 (NationPress) A patient in the US state of Louisiana has tragically become the first individual to succumb to bird flu, specifically H5N1, in the United States, according to health authorities. The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed in a news release that the patient had been hospitalized with the initial human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
The individual was above the age of 65 and was noted to have underlying health conditions. Officials mentioned that the patient contracted H5N1 after exposure to a mixture of a non-commercial backyard flock along with wild birds.
Furthermore, the department emphasized that this patient remains the only human case of H5N1 reported in the southeastern state, and their thorough public health investigation has uncovered no other instances of H5N1 nor any signs of transmission between individuals.
Despite this serious case, the current public health threat to the general population is deemed low. However, individuals who are involved with birds, poultry, or livestock, or who have recreational contact with them, are at a heightened risk, state officials cautioned. They stressed that the most effective method to protect oneself from H5N1 is to steer clear of potential sources of exposure.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expressed their sorrow regarding the death in a statement released on Monday. They noted, "While tragic, a death from H5N1 bird flu in the United States is not unexpected due to the known potential of these viruses to lead to severe illness and fatalities."
As of Monday, there have been a total of 66 confirmed human cases of H5N1 bird flu in the US since 2024 and 67 since 2022. Globally, the World Health Organization has reported over 950 cases of H5N1 bird flu, with approximately half resulting in death, according to the CDC.
The CDC reiterated that no evidence of person-to-person transmission has been found. They stated that they have thoroughly examined the available information regarding the individual who died in Louisiana and continue to evaluate that the risk to the general population remains low.
