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Louisiana, December 19, 2024 — Health officials confirmed Wednesday that a Louisiana resident has been hospitalized with the first severe human case of bird flu in the United States. The patient, who is over 65 and has underlying health conditions, is in critical condition with severe respiratory symptoms, Louisiana health authorities reported.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicated that the individual had been in direct contact with sick and dead birds from a backyard flock. This marks the first known U.S. case of bird flu linked to exposure from such a flock. Prior human cases in the country have been mild, primarily affecting farmworkers who were exposed to infected poultry or dairy cows.
This year alone, over 60 bird flu infections have been documented, with more than half of those cases occurring in California. In a couple of instances, including cases in Missouri and California, health officials are still investigating how the individuals contracted the virus.
The CDC confirmed the Louisiana infection on Friday, but it was not publicly announced until Wednesday. Health officials emphasized that the individual’s hospitalization was primarily due to severe flu symptoms, in contrast to a case in Missouri where the patient was hospitalized for reasons unrelated to bird flu.
While the U.S. case is concerning, the CDC and state health officials reiterated that bird flu remains largely an animal health issue. The risk to the general public remains low, with no evidence of person-to-person transmission of the virus. Officials continue to monitor the situation, urging the public to avoid contact with sick or dead birds.
In a related development, Canadian authorities reported last month that a teenager in British Columbia was hospitalized with a severe case of bird flu, though the CDC did not comment on whether there were any similarities with the U.S. case.
As the investigation into the Louisiana case continues, health experts remain cautious but stressed that the immediate threat to public health remains minimal, with ongoing surveillance in place to monitor potential risks.
