Louisiana Resident Contracts First Severe U.S. Case of Bird Flu
WASHINGTON — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Wednesday that a Louisiana resident has contracted the first severe case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1), also known as bird flu, in the United States. The individual, whose identity remains undisclosed due to patient confidentiality, is believed to have been infected through contact with sick or dead birds on their property, outside of a commercial poultry flock.
While the CDC has confirmed 61 human cases of H5N1 across nine states this year, this marks the first instance of severe illness. Previously, U.S. cases typically presented with mild symptoms like conjunctivitis and mild respiratory issues, resulting in full recovery. Demetre Daskalakis, director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, emphasized that while the virus has historically caused severe illness, even death in up to 50% of cases globally, the risk to the general public remains low.
The Louisiana Department of Health reported that the patient, who is over 65 and has underlying medical conditions, is hospitalized in critical condition with severe respiratory illness related to the H5N1 infection. The patient resides in the southwestern region of the state. The CDC declined to specify the patient’s symptoms or explain why this case is classified as severe in contrast to a previous Missouri case, citing privacy concerns. The Missouri patient, hospitalized in August, also had underlying conditions and experienced symptoms including chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness.
Widespread Avian Influenza Impacting Poultry and Dairy Cattle
The current H5N1 outbreak has significantly impacted both poultry and dairy cattle across the United States. Nearly 124 million poultry have been affected in 49 states, and the virus has spread to 865 dairy herds in 16 states this year, with a surge of 315 new cases in the past month, primarily in California.
In response to the dairy outbreak, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) launched a nationwide milk testing strategy earlier this month, expanding to thirteen states. This program mandates that entities involved in dairy farming, including transporters and processing facilities, provide unpasteurized milk samples for testing when requested. California has declared a state of emergency to enhance preparedness and accelerate response efforts. The USDA also maintains a voluntary bulk milk testing program for farms transporting cattle across state lines.
The ongoing situation highlights the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, emphasizing the importance of a coordinated “One Health” approach to mitigate the risks of zoonotic disease transmission.