19 Dec 2024 • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed the the first severe human case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus in Louisiana, marking a critical escalation in the 2024 bird flu outbreak. In response, California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a State of Emergency to strengthen efforts to curb the spread of bird flu across the state.

• Since April 2024, there have been a total of 61 reported human cases of H5 bird flu reported in the United States.
• This marks the first instance of severe illness linked to the virus in the United States.
• This H5N1 bird flu genotype is different than the B3.13 genotype detected in dairy cows, sporadic human cases in multiple states, and some poultry outbreaks in the United States.
• While an investigation into the source of the infection in Louisiana is ongoing, it has been determined that the patient had exposure to sick and dead birds in backyard flocks. This is the first case of H5N1 bird flu in the U.S. that has been linked to exposure to a backyard flock.
• No person-to-person spread of H5 bird flu has been detected.
• This case underscores that, in addition to affected commercial poultry and dairy operations, wild birds and backyard flocks also can be a source of exposure.

This case does not change CDC's overall assessment of the immediate risk to the public's health from H5N1 bird flu, which remains low.

Source: CDC | Read Full Story