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<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figure><\/div>\nA 65-year-old with underlying medical conditions has succumbed to avian flu in Louisiana. It is the first bird flu death in the United States.<\/p>\n
The patient, who was exposed to non-commercial backyard flocks and wild birds, had underlying medical conditions, according to officials.<\/p>\n
Since April 2024, bird flu outbreaks have occurred in multiple states, mainly causing mild illnesses among some patients.<\/p>\n
The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed the death on Monday. This past month, the department said it was experiencing its first case of severe bird flu involving a human. The patient was experiencing severe respiratory illness related to bird flu infection and was in critical condition.<\/p>\n
According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:<\/p>\n
\u2013 H5 bird flu is widespread in wild birds worldwide, causing poultry and U.S. dairy cows outbreaks. Several recent human cases have been reported in U.S. dairy and poultry workers.<\/p>\n
-While the current public health risk is low, the CDC is overseeing the situation and working with states to monitor people with animal exposure and<\/p>\n
-The CDC is using its flu surveillance systems to monitor for H5 bird flu activity in people.<\/p>\n
There have been 66 human cases of bird flu in the U.S., with most being mild.<\/p>\n
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