The first human death from bird flu occurred in the United States

The CDC confirmed First serious human case of H5N1 avian influenza virus in the United States In Louisiana in December. the Louisiana Department of Health It was reported on Monday that the patient had died.

LDH revealed that the patient was over 65 years old, had underlying medical conditions and contracted avian influenza after exposure to both wild birds and a non-commercial backyard flock. “LDH’s comprehensive public health investigations have identified no additional cases of H5N1 and no evidence of person-to-person transmission,” the department wrote. “This patient remains the only human case of H5N1 in Louisiana.” CNN Health reported that the patient was suffering from D1.1 Avian influenza virus branchWhich differs from the breed prevalent in dairy cows.

When the patient first became ill in December, the CDC reported that this sporadic case of severe H5N1 avian influenza was not uncommon. The H5N1 virus has been linked to serious human illness and morbidity leading to death in other countries in 2024 and earlier. As of publication date, the CDC has not reported the patient’s death.

This comes about two months after A The Canadian teen was taken to hospital With H5N1 bird flu. The Public Health Agency of Canada stated that the virus is “linked to H5N1 avian influenza viruses resulting from an ongoing outbreak in poultry in British Columbia.” However, for privacy reasons, Canadian public health officials said No updates were provided on the patient Or the source of the virus even though the investigation into them has been closed.

Over the past few months, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Influenza Surveillance System has announced two human cases of avian influenza that were not clearly linked to exposure to sick animals. Adults in Missouri They were announced in early September and late November. A child in California.

Risk to the general public (i.e. people who do not have direct contact with farm animals, especially sick ones) stays lowaccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many infectious disease experts and scientists have steadily increased the call for greater alert and action on the current avian influenza situation, especially after avian influenza was first reported in a pig this fall. While again stressing that the risk to the general public is low, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention described avian influenza as “spreading to new mammals.”Always relate“, especially in pigs because they are particularly susceptible to influenza viruses.

Moreover, the spread of bird flu is intertwined with renewed interest in the disease The healthy trend is to drink raw milk. In november, Raw milk is sold in California It was recalled because it contained the bird flu virus.

Two indoor cats that consumed this raw milk and have since died tested positive for influenza A (of which H5N1 avian influenza is a subtype), which is rare in cats. According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, The section is “We consider suspected cases of H5 bird flu and confirmatory testing is done,” she said, noting that a nationwide outbreak of H5 bird flu has been discovered in other cats infected with the virus after ingesting infected raw milk. Most recently, the pet food company Northwest Naturals Impulse indicated of raw turkey pet food after an indoor cat died from avian influenza linked to the product.

According to the USDA, there have been cases over the past 30 days 182 confirmed cases in two states of cattle infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) virus. This brings the total number of confirmed cases in livestock to 917 in 16 states.

The fact that bird flu has been found in raw milk is not necessarily surprising because raw milk does not go through the pasteurization process that inactivates harmful bacteria or viruses like bird flu, but it has drawn attention to another way – while there are no human diseases. Reported – People could theoretically be exposed to bird flu.

As long as animals and humans live, work, and congregate around each other, there will be a risk that viruses will mutate enough to jump from one species to another. Fortunately, bird flu in humans has been rare so far, in part because the virus does not spread that easily from animals to humans, or between humans, although sporadic cases have occurred in other countries as well as in the United States. As the potential for human exposure to the virus narrows compared to the ongoing spread of avian influenza among animals, it has become increasingly important to understand the risk that avian influenza poses to public health and its threat of another pandemic.

Here’s what to know about avian influenza, or bird flu, and what it looks like in humans.

What is bird flu?

short, Bird flu, also known as bird fluis a type of influenza that spreads among some animals and is currently causing outbreaks among birds and livestock in the United States. Scientists are closely monitoring mutations that could make it possible for the virus to spread between people, which could pose a major threat to public health.

More specifically, avian influenza is a disease caused by infection with influenza A virus, which is either “highly pathogenic” or “low pathogenic.” The current strain of H5N1 virus circulating in animals is considered highly pathogenic.

Avian influenza was first discovered and controlled in 1997, but it… It appeared again in 2003 It began to spread widely among birds.

World Health Organization reports Four types of influenza virusesThe World Health Organization says that type A, B, C and D viruses, which infect humans and various species of animals, pose the greatest threat to public health and can cause epidemics. the “Swine flu” pandemic of 2009 It was caused by a type A virus. Seasonal influenza viruses In humans, it is caused by type A and type B viruses.

Is bird flu fatal? How many cases have occurred in the United States?

66 cases have been confirmed Human cases of H5 avian influenza (highly infectious). In the United States, according to January 6 information from the CDC. The vast majority were in people with direct contact with sick animals, and the CDC’s influenza surveillance system shows no signs of unusual influenza activity in humans.

Human cases remain rare, but avian influenza is considered a serious public health threat due to its historically high mortality rate. About half Cases of H5N1 avian influenza in humans have been fatal since tracking began, according to WHO information. One death from bird flu has been reported in the United States, and historically, people who test positive for the virus have had direct contact with sick animals and have shown symptoms. Mild flu-like symptoms.

Is there a vaccine for bird flu?

There is no bird flu vaccine available or recommended for people at this time. However, the United States has been investing in developing vaccines that could be used in emergency situations, should they arise. In October, the Strategic Preparedness and Response Directorate awarded about $72 million to CSL Seqirus, Sanofi, and GSK. Fill and finish additional doses One of the vaccines that can be used for bird flu.

The US Department of Health and Human Services announced in early July that the government Providing Moderna with $176 million To develop an mRNA influenza vaccine, which could be used if bird flu starts spreading from person to person or becomes a pandemic.

Can I get bird flu through milk, eggs or meat?

There have been no reports of people contracting bird flu in the United States from drinking milk or eating bird or cow meat. The commercial food supply, which makes up most of the food you get at a regular grocery store, is regulated, and meat from infected animals should never reach store shelves.

He was there Fragments of inactive bird flu virus have been found In pasteurized milk samples since the virus began spreading to cows. The high-temperature pasteurization process inactivates any virus or bacteria, including bird flu, that can make people sick. An infectious virus has been found in raw milk, this was announced by the US Food and Drug Administration Emphasize the public health risks of drinking raw milkNot only for bird flu but also for other pathogens that often live in unpasteurized milk.

In terms of meat, ground hamburgers are also expected to be cooked Kill bird flu virusAccording to the Agriculture Directorate. The same applies to poultry. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Cooking eggs and poultry To an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit kills viruses, including bird flu.

Depending on the infectious disease, it may be difficult to catch the flu from food or drink anyway The experts we spoke to In the past because influenza (including bird flu) is a virus that infects the respiratory system.

If you work directly with animals or livestock, which may include working on a farm, or even if you… Visit a fair where there are livestockYou should check the CDC specifications Safety tips to reduce the risk of spread.