A recent case of bird flu in Louisiana marks the nation’s first serious human infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC has linked this case to a backyard flock, which is unusual as most human cases are associated with commercial poultry facilities.
Since April 2024, 61 human cases have been reported across the US. However, experts emphasize that the risk of transmission from person to person remains low.
Bird flu outbreaks have been detected in eight states, including Wisconsin and California, where a state of emergency has been declared due to growing concerns about the disease spreading through dairy cattle and resulting in several human cases.
The CDC recommends taking extra precautions for people working with or around birds or farm animals, such as backyard flock owners, hunters, and bird enthusiasts. Symptoms of bird flu in humans can range from mild (fever, cough, sore throat) to severe (shortness of breath, pneumonia).
The virus has spread to over 125 million birds across 569 counties and all 50 US states since its detection in 2023.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/graphics/2024/12/21/bird-flu-h5n1-avian-influenza-maps/77100793007