Louisiana [US]: The United States has recorded its first human death from bird flu, according to the Louisiana Department of Health. The patient, aged over 65 and with underlying medical conditions, succumbed to the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus.
In a statement, the Louisiana Department of Health announced, “The Louisiana Department of Health reports the patient who had been hospitalized with the first human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or H5N1, in Louisiana and the US has died.”
The patient reportedly contracted the virus through exposure to a combination of a non-commercial backyard flock and wild birds. An extensive public health investigation conducted by the department revealed no additional cases of H5N1 or evidence of person-to-person transmission. The statement confirmed that this remains the only human case of H5N1 reported in Louisiana.
“The Department expresses its deepest condolences to the patient’s family and friends as they mourn the loss of their loved one. Due to patient confidentiality and respect for the family, this will be the final update about the patient,” the statement added.
The Louisiana Department of Health reassured the public that the overall health risk remains low. However, individuals working with birds, poultry, or livestock, or those with recreational exposure to them, are at a higher risk of contracting the virus.
Health officials advised avoiding direct contact with wild birds and animals suspected of being infected with bird flu viruses to minimize risk. “The best way to protect yourself and your family from H5N1 is to avoid sources of exposure,” the department emphasized.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 66 human cases of bird flu have been reported in the United States. Ten states, including California, Colorado, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Oregon, Missouri, Washington, Wisconsin, and Texas, have reported cases of bird flu. The case in Louisiana is the first H5N1 infection linked to exposure to a backyard flock in the US.