In a significant development, the United States has reported its first severe human case of H5N1 bird flu, with a patient in Louisiana hospitalized after likely exposure to infected birds. This marks the first instance of avian flu transmission from a backyard flock in the country, a milestone described as “notable” by CDC official Demetre Daskalakis.
The unidentified individual, believed to have had direct contact with sick or dead birds, initially tested positive for influenza A. Further testing by state laboratories confirmed the presence of H5N1, a strain of bird flu known for its deadly impact on avian populations. While the CDC has not disclosed the patient’s specific symptoms, it confirmed the severity of their condition.
This case adds to the ongoing bird flu outbreak in the US, which has seen 61 confirmed and 7 probable infections in humans to date. Although the overall risk to the public remains low, health officials have intensified surveillance efforts.
New measures include mandatory bulk milk testing to track potential virus spread among dairy cows, announced by the USDA earlier this month. Additionally, Labcorp has introduced the first commercial H5N1 test, available with a physician’s order.
In Delaware, another probable human case of bird flu was reported in early December, though CDC tests could not confirm H5N1 infection. Despite these incidents, officials stress that no human-to-human transmission of the virus has occurred during this outbreak.
Experts warn that individuals in close contact with infected birds, such as farmers or handlers, face heightened risk. They recommend protective measures, including respirators, and urge immediate testing for anyone developing flu-like symptoms.
H5N1 continues to wreak havoc among wild and domestic bird populations, prompting additional genomic analysis by the CDC to better understand its evolution and risks. While millions of doses of H5N1 vaccines are stockpiled in the US, they remain unauthorized for use, and the national vaccination strategy has not changed.
As the outbreak unfolds, officials are urging vigilance and precaution, emphasizing the importance of early detection and containment to prevent further spread of this highly pathogenic virus.
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