The U.S. has reported its first human death from bird flu, a significant development as the country has recorded at least 67 cases. The patient, aged over 65 with underlying medical conditions, was hospitalized in Louisiana in December, marking the first severe human H5N1 infection in the country. The Louisiana Department of Health stated that the patient had been exposed to a mix of a backyard flock and wild birds. The department extended its deepest sympathies to the patient’s family and friends and announced that it would be the final update regarding the patient out of respect for confidentiality.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost all confirmed human bird flu cases in the U.S. have been diagnosed in the past 10 months. Symptoms have been relatively mild, such as pinkeye, coughs, or sneezes. Most patients fell ill after exposure to infected cattle or poultry, with the Louisiana case being the first linked to a backyard flock. Only two cases involved patients with no known animal exposure, one in Missouri who recovered after treatment and a child in California with mild symptoms.
The CDC has stated that the immediate public health risk is low, as there is no evidence of person-to-person virus transmission. While the death from H5N1 bird flu is tragic, it was not unexpected due to the severe illness potential of these viruses. The agency emphasized that there are no concerning virologic changes currently spreading in animals that would heighten the risk to human health. However, virus samples from the Louisiana patient showed mutations that could enhance human transmissibility.
The bird flu strain causing the current outbreak began spreading globally among wild birds and poultry in 2020 before reaching the U.S. in 2022, infecting or culling over 130 million birds. The virus has also affected dairy cows and other mammals, with more than 900 bird flu cases detected in cattle since March. Rising animal transmission raises the risk of human exposure and potential mutations leading to a pandemic.
To mitigate bird flu risk, the CDC advises against consuming unpasteurized raw milk and recommends avoiding contact with sick or dead animals. Workers in affected poultry or dairy farms should wear personal protective equipment and monitor for symptoms. The federal response to bird flu intensified recently with the USDA ordering national milk supply testing and allocating $306 million for surveillance, testing, and research. However, some experts have criticized the U.S. response as slow or limited, expressing concerns about the potential for wider spread.
