LOUISIANA, US- The United States has reported its first death related to bird flu, as confirmed by the Louisiana Department of Health.
The deceased, an individual over the age of 65 with underlying health conditions, succumbed to the H5N1 strain after exposure to both a personal flock and wild birds.
This case marks a critical point in the ongoing surveillance of avian influenza, with no evidence so far of person-to-person transmission or additional cases, as stated by Louisiana health officials.
The H5N1 strain, a significant variant of the bird flu virus, emerged in the late 1990s and has since been a cause of global concern.
Though infections in humans remain rare, the virus has managed to jump from birds to humans in isolated instances, primarily due to close contact with infected birds or contaminated environments.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been 66 confirmed cases of H5N1 bird flu in the US since 2024.
These cases predominantly involve individuals who have had close interactions with poultry or wild birds, emphasizing the occupational risk for farmworkers and those engaged in animal industries.
Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) has documented 954 human cases of bird flu since 2003, with a fatality rate of approximately 50%.
Despite these numbers, there has been no sustained human-to-human transmission, a fact that continues to reassure health experts.
WHO spokesperson Dr. Margaret Harris underscored that the H5N1 virus “is not circulating in humans but jumping into humans” who come into contact with infected animals.
The risk to the general public remains low, with heightened precautions advised for those in close proximity to birds and livestock.
The Louisiana case follows a similar instance in Canada, where a 13-year-old girl was hospitalized in November 2024 with the D1.1 variant of the virus.
This variant has recently been detected across North America, adding to the urgency of monitoring and controlling the spread of avian influenza.
In another related case, a person in Missouri recovered from bird flu in September 2024 after receiving hospital treatment, highlighting the potential for recovery with prompt medical intervention.
Both the CDC and WHO continue to carry out extensive surveillance in human and animal populations, ensuring that farming and food production practices are adjusted to mitigate risks.
Dr. Harris emphasized the importance of combining various preventive measures to protect public health, especially for those in higher-risk occupations.
While the current public health risk remains low for the general population, the evolving nature of the virus warrants continuous monitoring and adaptive strategies to prevent potential outbreaks.
