A hospitalized individual in Louisiana represents the first instance of a severe human illness linked to bird flu reported in the United States, according to health authorities. The patient, who is critically ill and experiencing severe respiratory issues, is over the age of 65 and has pre-existing health conditions. They were in close contact with ill and deceased birds from a backyard flock, as indicated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Previously documented cases of bird flu in the US have generally been mild, primarily affecting farmworkers who have had exposure to sick poultry or dairy cattle. This year, the nation has seen over 60 cases of bird flu infections, with a notable concentration of incidents in California. In two specific cases, involving an adult in Missouri and a child in California, health officials have not yet pinpointed the mode of transmission.
The CDC verified the Louisiana case on a Friday but did not make the information public until the following Wednesday. This situation marks the first recorded human case in the United States associated with contact from a backyard flock, the agency confirmed. In the Missouri case, the patient was also hospitalized, but for additional health issues unrelated to the bird flu infection. In contrast, the hospitalization of the Louisiana patient is directly attributable to symptoms related to the influenza virus, according to CDC representatives.
In a related event, Canadian health officials previously reported that a teenager in British Columbia was hospitalized due to a severe bird flu case. The CDC has not commented on whether there are any parallels or distinctions between the two cases and has suggested that inquiries be directed to Louisiana health officials.
Despite these cases, health experts maintain that bird flu remains predominantly a concern for animal health and emphasize that the threat to the general public remains low. Moreover, there has been no confirmed evidence of the virus being transmitted from person to person.
