The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported the first severe case of bird flu in the United States, with a patient hospitalized in Louisiana. The individual, a man over 65 years old with pre-existing health conditions, is in critical condition due to severe respiratory symptoms caused by the virus. This marks a serious development in the ongoing bird flu outbreak that has primarily affected wild birds and poultry in the U.S. The strain involved in this case is related to similar infections found in both humans in Canada and Washington state.
The infection in Louisiana is notable because it is linked to exposure to sick and dead birds from a backyard flock, making it the first known case of human bird flu in the U.S. tied to such exposure. While previous human cases in the U.S. have been relatively mild, with most individuals recovering after receiving antiviral treatment, the Louisiana patient’s condition has escalated significantly. Health officials are still investigating the exact source of the infection, but this case highlights the potential severity of bird flu in humans.
Since April, the CDC has confirmed 61 cases of bird flu in the U.S., but most have been mild, with only one hospitalization in Missouri attributed to bird flu. Symptoms in humans can range from mild, flu-like issues to more severe respiratory problems like pneumonia. The CDC lists common symptoms as fever, sore throat, cough, and shortness of breath, with less frequent symptoms including nausea and seizures. While most cases have resolved with treatment, the critical condition of the Louisiana patient underscores the potential dangers of the virus.
Despite concerns, the CDC reassures the public that there is no evidence of person-to-person transmission of the bird flu. The risk to the general population remains low, though people who work with birds, poultry, or livestock are at higher risk of exposure and should take precautions. The CDC advises avoiding contact with sick or dead animals, as the virus can be spread through their saliva, feces, or respiratory secretions. This includes raw milk from infected cows, which has been identified as a potential vector for the virus.
The bird flu situation has prompted increased measures in California, where Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency to speed up the state’s response. The declaration follows the detection of bird flu in raw milk samples from a California farm, resulting in a recall of the farm’s products and a quarantine. California has seen 33 confirmed human cases of bird flu this year, prompting further action to control the spread. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has also begun testing raw milk samples nationwide to monitor and contain potential outbreaks of the virus.
