Bird Flu outbreak in United States: The United States has reported its first death due to bird flu. The man who hails from Louisiana was hospitalised with a severe case of bird flu.
According to a report by Live Science, the man hospitalised on December 13 and the health experts maintain that this is the first severe case of H5N1 bird flu in the United States.
Since 2021, H5N1, a subtype of bird flu, has been circulating among wild birds and poultry in the country. For the first time, the virus was detected in dairy cows in 2024. Since then, the virus has infected at least 66 people in the country, primarily those who were directly exposed to infected cows or poultry.
Reportedly, the exact source of the infection in the case of the patient in Louisiana was initially unknown. However, an investigation uncovered that the person fell ill after exposure to a noncommercial backyard flock of birds, as well as wild birds, according to a statement from the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH).
“LDH’s extensive public health investigation has identified no additional H5N1 cases nor evidence of person-to-person transmission,” the department’s statement added. “This patient remains the only human case of H5N1 in Louisiana.”
According to the Live Science report, the patient was over the age of 65 and had underlying medical conditions, which may have made them more likely to develop a severe bird flu case.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains that the virus that sickened the Louisiana patient matched a strain circulating in birds. The strain is called the D1.1 genotype. However, the strain that is spreading among cows has B3.13 genotype.
What is H5N1 bird flu?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains that H5 bird flu is widespread in wild birds worldwide and is causing outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows with several recent human cases in U.S. dairy and poultry workers.
Avian influenza, commonly called “bird flu,” is a viral infection that spreads in birds, cows and other animals. According to Cleveland Clinic, H5 subtypes of influenza A are the most common cause. It can cause mild to severe respiratory symptoms and pink eye. People who work with poultry, waterfowl and dairy cows are most at risk.
What are the types of bird flu?
There are many subtypes of avian flu. The recent cases in humans in the U.S. are influenza A(H5). According to Cleveland Clinics, the most common subtypes that have spread to humans in the past have been influenza A(H5N1) and influenza A(H7N9). The types of proteins on the surface of the virus determine the names of these subtypes.
What are the symptoms of bird flu?
Symptoms of bird flu include:
- Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Cough
- Muscle aches
- Sore throat
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
According to Cleveland Clinics, these symptoms can be mild or severe. Most recent cases of bird flu in the U.S. have caused pink eye and mild respiratory symptoms.
What are the complications of bird flu?
Bird flu can often cause severe illness. According to Cleveland Clinics, complications include:
- Pneumonia
- Acute respiratory distress
- Bacterial infections
- Sepsis
- Brain swelling, like meningoencephalitis
- Respiratory failure
How to prevent bird flu?
There are several ways to reduce your risk of bird flu include:
- Wear protective clothing when working with birds, wild animals and livestock.
- Wash your hands frequently when handling birds, wild animals and livestock or after being in areas where they live.
- Don’t touch or drink unpasteurized milk.
- Get a seasonal flu shot.
