The first serious case of H5N1 bird flu has been detected in a patient in Louisiana who has since been hospitalized with the illness.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that this was the “first instance of severe illness” from H5N1 recorded in the U.S. after it was confirmed on Friday.
The agency said that a total of 61 cases have been reported in the U.S. over the last eight months.
“It has been determined that the patient had exposure to sick and dead birds in backyard flocks,” the CDC said. “This is the first case of H5N1 bird flu in the U.S. that has been linked to exposure to a backyard flock. A sporadic case of severe H5N1 bird flu illness in a person is not unexpected; avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection has previously been associated with severe human illness in other countries during 2024 and prior years, including illness resulting in death.”
The agency that there has been “no person-to-person spread” of H5N1 detected anywhere and its overall risk assessment for the public remains low.
The statement added:
This case underscores that, in addition to affected commercial poultry and dairy operations, wild birds and backyard flocks also can be a source of exposure. People with work or recreational exposures to infected animals are at higher risk of infection and should follow CDC’s recommended precautions when around animals that are infected or potentially infected with H5N1 avian influenza virus. This means that backyard flock owners, hunters and other bird enthusiasts should also take precautions.
The CDC noted that the viral genome that infected the patient belongs to the D1.1 genotype that has been found in wild birds and poultry.
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D1.1 is different than the B3.13 genotype, which has been found in dairy cows, and has been responsible for some sporadic human cases.
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Wednesday over the continued spread of the bird flu in dairy cattle.
The state agriculture department has found the virus in nearly 650 dairies since August, when it was first discovered, with half of the infections happening in the last 30 days.
“This proclamation is a targeted action to ensure government agencies have the resources and flexibility they need to respond quickly to this outbreak,” Newsom said in a statement. “While the risk to the public remains low, we will continue to take all necessary steps to prevent the spread of this virus.”
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