The US has reported its first case of severe bird flu, with a patient hospitalized in Louisiana. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the case on Wednesday, stating that the patient is over 65 years old with underlying medical conditions and experiencing severe respiratory illness.
Genomic data shows the virus matches one recently found in wild birds and poultry across the US, as well as some human cases in Canada and Washington state. The CDC warns that this strain differs from another variant spreading in dairy cows and poultry populations in the country.
The patient was exposed to sick and dead birds in a backyard flock, according to the CDC. There have been 61 reported human cases of bird flu in the US since April, with almost all linked to direct contact with infected livestock.
Symptoms of infection include sore throat, cough, fever, runny nose, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and shortness of breath. The risk to the general public is low, but those working with birds or having recreational exposure are at higher risk.
To prevent bird flu, the CDC advises avoiding exposure whenever possible and taking precautions when handling infected animals. The US Department of Agriculture has issued a new federal order for raw milk testing after the virus was detected in California samples.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/cdc-confirms-1st-case-severe-bird-flu-us/story?id=116908574