A Louisiana man has become the first person in the United States to die from avian influenza, as confirmed by state health officials on Monday.It indicate first U.S. fatality from Bird Flu
The patient, who was over 65 years old and had underlying medical conditions, was hospitalized weeks ago in critical condition with severe respiratory illness linked to the H5N1 bird flu virus. State health officials reported that the man had been in contact with sick and dead birds from backyard flocks on his property.
Despite this fatality, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains that the immediate risk to public health from H5N1 bird flu remains low. Over the past few months, the CDC has expanded its guidelines for testing and treatment of bird flu, focusing on individuals with high-risk exposure, particularly farm workers. The Louisiana Department of Health did not disclose specific details regarding the patient’s treatment or the date of death.
No Evidence of Transmission Detected
State health officials confirmed that no additional H5N1 cases have been identified among Louisiana residents, nor has there been any evidence of person-to-person transmission.
The Louisiana Department of Health expressed condolences to the patient’s family and friends while emphasizing respect for the family’s privacy, stating that no further updates would be provided on the case.
Rising Bird Flu Cases in the U.S.
Since April, at least 66 cases of bird flu have been reported across the U.S. Fatality from Bird Flu. Most cases have involved mild symptoms such as pink eye or minor respiratory issues, with all patients recovering except the recent Louisiana fatality. The majority of those affected have been dairy and poultry farm workers.
The strain that infected the Louisiana patient is linked to a version of the virus recently found in wild birds, poultry, and some human cases in British Columbia, Canada, and Washington state. This strain differs from the one connected to a widespread outbreak among U.S. dairy cows and poultry.
A teenager in British Columbia was hospitalized in critical condition in November after being unable to breathe on her own due to a similar H5N1 infection. She remains hospitalized but has since been moved out of the intensive care unit.
Genetic Findings and Virus Mutation Concerns of U.S. Fatality from Bird Flu
The CDC stated that cases of severe illness and fatalities from H5N1 are not unexpected, given the virus’s history of high mortality rates worldwide.
Genetic analysis of the Louisiana patient’s virus revealed mutations that may allow the virus to better attach to human upper airway cells. Bird flu viruses typically target a receptor rare in human airways, which limits human infections and prevents easy person-to-person transmission. However, the CDC noted that these mutations likely developed during the patient’s illness as the virus replicated in his body.
Tests on poultry from the patient’s property did not reveal the same genetic changes, suggesting the mutations occurred during the patient’s infection rather than originating from the birds. Health experts highlighted that such mutations would be more concerning if detected in animals or early in the infection, as this could indicate the virus was evolving to spread more easily between humans.
Global Bird Flu Impact and Ongoing Monitoring U.S. Fatality from Bird Flu
Since its emergence in 1997, the H5N1 virus has spread globally through migratory birds, causing infections in animals across all continents. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that nearly 1,000 people in 24 countries have been diagnosed with H5N1, with approximately half of those cases resulting in death.
While no person-to-person transmission has been detected in the current U.S. outbreak, health officials remain vigilant. Monitoring efforts and expanded testing guidelines aim to prevent further human infections and reduce potential public health risks.
