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By Jon Jackson and Matthew Impelli
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The Louisiana Department of Health on Monday reported the first bird flu-related human death in the United States.
Why It Matters
Bird flu (H5N1) has been transmitted from animals to humans in the United States.
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The typical winter respiratory viruses—influenza, COVID-19 and RSV—are also circulating, adding to public health uncertainty.
With 66 human cases reported in the U.S. in 2024, experts are increasingly worried about the bird flu virus' evolving potential and its implications for future outbreaks.
What To Know
In December, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that a patient had been hospitalized with a severe case of avian influenza A (H5N1) virus infection in Louisiana.
According to the Louisiana Department of Health, the patient was over the age of 65 and was said to have suffered from underlying medical conditions.
"LDH's extensive public health investigation has identified no additional H5N1 cases nor evidence of person-to-person transmission. This patient remains the only human case of H5N1 in Louisiana," the Louisiana Department of Health said in a statement. "The Department expresses its deepest condolences to the patient's family and friends as they mourn the loss of their loved one. Due to patient confidentiality and respect for the family, this will be the final update about the patient."
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What Is Bird Flu?
H5N1 is a strain of bird flu that has seen a spike in infections in birds, cattle, humans and other species in recent months.
Of the 66 people in the U.S. who have tested positive for the virus, 40 resulted from exposure to infected cattle while 23 others were related to poultry farms or poultry culling efforts, according to the CDC.
Since January 2022, all 50 states have been affected by bird flu, with 1,374 reported outbreaks impacting over 1.29 million birds, according to the CDC.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises on their website that Americans, particularly those at high risk of bird flu such as farmworkers, should get the flu vaccine this season, even though it only prevents seasonal flu.
What People Are Saying
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) also announced last week that over $300 million will be spent to protect the U.S. from bird flu.
This money will be awarded to bodies at federal, state and local levels in order to prevent the spread of the virus to animals, people and food.
Xavier Becerra, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, said in a Friday statement: "While the risk to humans remains low, we are always preparing for any possible scenario that could arise." .
Becerra added:"These investments are critical to continuing our disease surveillance, laboratory testing, and monitoring efforts alongside our partners at USDA."
What's Next
Officials are advising caution for anyone coming into contact with sick or dead birds, recommending the use of gloves, eye protection and respiratory gear when handling poultry.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
Update 1/6/25 5:20 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with further information.
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