In this illustration, taken on June 10, 2024, a test tube is labeled “bird flu.”
Givenruvich | Reuters
First human death reported in U.S. bird flua grim milestone as the country recorded at least 66 cases.
The patient is over 65 years old and has underlying medical conditions. Hospitalized in Louisiana in December;The case is believed to be the first severe case of human H5N1 infection in the country.
The Louisiana Department of Health said the patient had been exposed to backyard sheep and wild birds.
“The department expresses its deepest condolences to the patient’s family and friends as they mourn the loss of their loved one,” the department said in a statement. “Out of patient confidentiality and respect for the family, this will be the final update regarding the patient. ”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all but one of the human avian influenza infections confirmed so far in the United States have been diagnosed in the past 10 months. Most cases are relatively mild, with symptoms including pink eyes, coughing or sneezing.
Most patients become ill after contact with infected cattle or poultry. The patient in Louisiana is the first case linked to exposure to backyard chickens.
Only two cases involved patients who had not been exposed to animals. one is one Missouri hospitalized with bird flu September, but recovered after being treated with antiviral drugs. another is a A California child with mild symptoms November.
Public health officials have found no evidence that the virus has spread between humans, which would mark a terrifying step in the evolution of bird flu. However, Virus samples collected from Louisiana patients show signs of mutation The CDC says this could make it easier to spread to humans.
The CDC insists the immediate risk to public health is low. “The occurrence of sporadic cases of severe H5N1 avian influenza in humans is not unexpected,” the agency said. said last month.
For those concerned about the risk of bird flu, the CDC recommends that people Do not drink unpasteurized raw milk or contact with sick or dead animals. People working on poultry or dairy farms affected by H5N1 should wear personal protective equipment and monitor for symptoms.
A month ago, USDA stepped up federal response to bird flu Testing of national milk supply orderedstarting with six states. The Biden administration also set aside $306 million last week for additional surveillance, laboratory testing and medical research on avian influenza.
But some experts have criticized the U.S. response as too slow or limited.
“For months, the Biden administration has mishandled the cattle outbreak, increasing the potential for dangerous, wider spread,” two former FDA officials wrote in the letter. Washington Post editorial on Friday.
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