First human death from bird flu recorded in US
Louisiana: The Department of Health in Louisiana has reported the first bird flu-related human fatality in the United States. According to reports, the patient had underlying medical issues and was older than 65.
As stated in a release, “The Louisiana Department of Health reports the patient who had been hospitalized with the first human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or H5N1, in Louisiana and the US has died.”
After being exposed to both wild birds and a non-commercial home flock, the patient developed H5N1. Despite a thorough public health investigation, the Louisiana Department of Health has found no new H5N1 infections or proof of person-to-person transmission. According to the announcement, this patient continues to be Louisiana’s only human H5N1 case.
“The Department extends its sincere condolences to the patient’s family and friends as they grieve the loss of their loved one,” the statement said. This will be the patient’s last update due to patient confidentiality and family respect.
The statement claims that there is now little harm to the public’s health. However, those who work with cows, chickens, or birds, or who are around them for fun, are more vulnerable.
The greatest defense against H5N1 for you and your family is to stay away from exposure sources, according to the Louisiana Department of Health. It said, “That means avoiding direct contact with wild birds and other animals infected with or suspected to be infected with bird flu viruses.”
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have identified 66 human cases of avian flu in the United States.
California, Colorado, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Oregon, Missouri, Washington, Wisconsin, and Texas are the ten US states with the highest number of bird flu infections. The Louisiana case was the first H5N1 bird flu illness in the United States to be connected to exposure to a backyard flock.
