An unnamed person in Louisiana has become the first person in the USA to die of bird flu after he came into contact with a sick flock, amid warnings for other people
A patient has become the first to die of bird flu in the US, as the virus mutated inside him after he came into contact with a sick and dying flock.
The unnamed person was said to be over 65 and had underlying medical problems. After coming into contact with a combination of a backyard flock and wild fowl, the patient in Louisiana developed severe respiratory problems. A genetic analysis suggests the virus mutated inside the patient, which could have led to the more severe illness and their death.
The Louisiana Department of Health said in a statement: “The patient contracted H5N1 after exposure to a combination of a non-commercial backyard flock and wild birds.
“LDH’s extensive public health investigation has identified no additional H5N1 cases nor evidence of person-to-person transmission. This patient remains the only human case of H5N1 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.
“If you have been exposed to sick or dead birds or other animals or work on a farm where avian influenza has been detected, watch for respiratory symptoms or conjunctivitis. If you develop symptoms within 10 days after exposure to sick or dead animals, tell your healthcare provider that you have been in contact with sick animals and are concerned about avian influenza. This will help them give you appropriate advice on testing and treatment. Stay home and away from others while you have symptoms.”
Since March, 66 confirmed bird flu infections have been reported in the US, but previous illnesses have been mild and most have been detected among farmworkers. A bird flu death was not unexpected, according to virus experts. Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at the Brown University School of Public Health said: “[Bird flu] is a serious threat and it has historically been a deadly virus. This is just a tragic reminder of that. Just because we have seen mild cases does not mean future cases will continue to be mild.”
The H5N1 bird flu has been spreading widely among wild birds, poultry, cows and other animals. Its growing presence in the environment increases the chances that people will be exposed, and potentially catch it, officials have said.
In the UK, bird flu was confirmed in Yorkshire on December 31, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. It said in a brief statement: “Following further testing, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 has been confirmed in commercial poultry. All poultry on the premises will be humanely culled. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been declared around the premises replacing the temporary control zone declared on 31 December 2024.”
