U.S. faces a grim milestone as bird flu claims its first human life
First Person in U.S. to Get Serious Bird Flu Dies amid Pandemic Concerns
A Louisiana gentleman, who made newswaves for being the first American to contract a severe case of bird flu, has tragically passed away, as declared by the Louisiana Department of Health. As fear mounts over a potential bird flu pandemic, here's the scoop.
The Louisiana health department revealed in a press statement that the man caught the illness due to contact with a mix of non-commercial backyard chickens and wild birds. The patient was over 65 and already battling several health issues, although further details weren't disclosed.
On December 18, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the first severe bird flu case in the country, occurring in an adult from Louisiana. Subsequent bird flu (H5N1) cases have not been reported in Louisiana since mid-December, and health authorities maintain that there's no sign of human-to-human transmission.
Although the public health risk is deemed low, workers with direct contact with birds, poultry, or even livestock face a higher risk. The World Health Organization emphasizes that bird flu rarely impacts humans, with approximately 888 human cases confirmed worldwide from 2003-2024, and roughly half resulting in fatalities.
Avoid Bird Flu Like a Pro
Armed with information from the CDC, you can steer clear of bird flu (H5):
- Many a mile from sick or deceased animals, particularly wild birds or poultry.
- If you must be around sick animals, the CDC suggests protective gear.
- Keep your distance from surfaces that may have saliva, mucus, or fecal matter from sick or potentially infected birds or animals.
The Numbers Game
66: That number represents confirmed bird flu cases by the CDC during the 2024 outbreak.
The Inner Scoop
The H5N1 strain of bird flu emerged in Europe's wild birds in 2020 and later surfaced in birds in Canada and the U.S. in 2021. The virus began spreading in American livestock in April, when the Food and Drug Administration discovered traces of H5N1 in some pasteurized milk. This led to a CDC-declared outbreak, with the Louisiana fatality linked to the D1.1 strain, which is related to bird and poultry infections, as well as some human cases in Canada and Washington. This strain differs from the one found in dairy cattle. On December 26, the CDC stated that a study of the virus showed changes facilitating its infection of human airways and enhanced transmission between individuals. However, the CDC asserts that the general risk to the public remains low.
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- A tragedy unfolded as the first American to contract a severe case of bird flu passed away in Louisiana.
- Health concerns are escalating over the potential for a bird flu pandemic.
- The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed the man contracted the illness through contact with a mix of non-commercial backyard chickens and wild birds.
- The elderly man was already dealing with multiple health issues, but the specifics were not disclosed.
- On December 18, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced the first severe bird flu case in the country, which occurred in an adult from Louisiana.
- No additional bird flu cases have been reported in Louisiana since mid-December.
- There's currently no evidence of human-to-human transmission, according to health authorities.
- Workers with direct contact with birds, poultry, or livestock may face a higher risk.
- The World Health Organization states that bird flu is uncommon in humans, with around 888 confirmed cases worldwide from 2003-2024, half of which resulted in fatalities.
- To avoid bird flu (H5), the CDC recommends avoiding sick or deceased animals, particularly wild birds or poultry.
- If you must be around sick animals, the CDC advises using protective gear.
- Avoid contact with surfaces potentially contaminated by sick or possibly infected birds or animals.
- The CDC has confirmed 66 cases of bird flu during the 2024 outbreak.
- The H5N1 strain of bird flu emerged in Europe's wild birds in 2020.
- It later appeared in birds in Canada and the U.S. in 2021.
- The virus began spreading in American livestock in April.
- The Food and Drug Administration found traces of H5N1 in some pasteurized milk, prompting a CDC-declared outbreak.
- The Louisiana fatality was linked to the D1.1 strain, which is related to bird and poultry infections, as well as human cases in Canada and Washington.
- This strain is different from the one found in dairy cattle.
- A study of the virus showed changes facilitating its infection of human airways and enhanced transmission between individuals.
- Despite this, the CDC maintains that the general risk to the public remains low.
- Stay informed on essential topics! Follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
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