A person in Louisiana has become the first recorded victim of bird flu in the United States, according to state health officials. The individual was over 65 years old and had underlying medical conditions, as well as been in contact with sick and dead birds in a backyard flock.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the death, citing mutations within the patient that may have led to the more severe illness. This is not an unexpected occurrence, given global bird flu infections have resulted in over 950 deaths since 2003.
Experts warn that the H5N1 bird flu virus poses a significant threat, particularly due to its ability to mutate and increase the risk of human infection. With over 66 confirmed cases reported in the US since March, health officials emphasize the importance of taking precautions when handling sick or dead birds.
CDC officials stress that there are currently no concerning changes in the wild bird population or livestock that would raise concerns about the virus’s spread. The origin of some recent cases remains unclear, but experts caution that even mild cases can be a precursor to more severe outcomes.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-death-louisiana-82e4d00876e62cb2b13bb621826c84f9