Ishita Roy

First Death From Bird Flu In Louisiana; Are Humans Safe?

Bird flu death in Louisiana

After the first rare case of <span>bird flu</span> or the <span>H5N1 virus</span> was reported in Louisiana in December, the unnamed patient died after being hospitalized for a long time. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the patient was over 65 years of age and had existing medical conditions. Due to this, he developed severe illness after being exposed by the bird flu. 

The sample was taken from a patient in Louisiana, which showed mutations in the gene which is responsible for attaching to host's cells. This is a concern, as it raises the questions of whether the <span>H5N1</span> virus can actually swap gene segment with other flu?

Those who had earlier died from bird flu, many of them were farmers or those who lived near the poultry. However, in the case of the Louisiana resident, the patient tested positive for the flu after he was exposed to wild birds and a personal backyard poultry flock that was invested by the bird flu virus or the H5N1. This is unusual, as according to the CSC, 66 human cases of H5N1 have been confirmed in the US since 2024, where the vast majority was exposed through chemical poultry, or dairy cattle. Cases too have been mild.

No other human cases have been identified in Louisiana as of now. “CDC has carefully studied the available information about the person who died in Louisiana and continues to assess that the risk to the general public remains low. Most importantly, no person-to-person transmission spread has been identified,” the CDC said.

As per the CDC, since 2003, amount thousand confirmed cases of human H5N1 was reported to the World Health Organization. Out of this, almost 50% died, and the fatality rate was set at 52%. 

The countries reporting the highest number of human bird flu deaths are Indonesia, Egypt, Vietnam, Cambodia, and China. While the fatality rate varies by the strain of bird flu, another type, that is, H679 is known to infect humans has a lower fatality rate of 40%.

CDC also noted that severe H5N1 avian flu in America was "not expected". "Avian influenza A (H5N1) virus infection has previously been associated with severe human illness in other countries during 2024 and prior years, including illness resulting in death," the CDC stated.

<h4>Does it come from other animals?</h4>

Bird flu primarily infected farmworkers or those in close proximity to livestock. The first human bird flu case in the US was reported in 2022, to a person who was also involved in farm-working.

While this flu is largely confined to birds in the wild and poultry, recent outbreaks have been reported in mammals too, including cattle.

The CDC also noted earlier that the risk to the general public is still at low, however, this warning could change. "Although human infections are rare, circumstances may evolve as we learn more about this case," said the CDC in a statement.

If you have cats as pet, or consume eggs from poultry, or milk from dairy, it is important to pay attention on food hygiene. 

<a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/bird-flu-in-us-are-cats-spreading-a-deadly-disease-article-151112961" data-type="tilCustomLink">Cats</a>: One of the leading causes is that unlike dogs, cats hunt for smaller prey, which includes birds and mice, carriers of bird flu. Dr Michael Bailey, the president-elect of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), in a guidance released for cat owners noted that by their very nature, cats have more "opportunity" to ger infected with bird flu.

“We don't know if the cats are more susceptible than anybody else,” he said. “It's just the fact they're exposed to higher viral burdens because of where they go.”

<a href="https://www.healthandme.com/nutrition/bird-flu-in-us-how-to-eat-eggs-safely-article-151067687" data-type="tilCustomLink">Eggs</a>: Four workers at an egg farm in Southeast Washington's Franklin County were also found positive. The reason was exposure to infected poultry. Five other states in the US have also identified human infections with the virus amid the other cases found in poultry, dairy cattle and wildlife.

Pasteurization and cooking them at high temperatures can curb the threat. It is also important to handle your poultry products when you are buying and storing them.

Also, avoid drinking raw milk to kill avian influenza A(H5N1).

Health Conditions A-Z

health

bird flu

louisiana bird flu death

bird flu death

first death in bird flu

h5n1

h5n1 virus

Why Should You Include Kale In Your Everyday Diet?

Not Sugar But Salt Leads To Diabetes—6 Low-Sodium Foods You Can Opt For

11 Ways To Know If Your Baby Is Hungry?

Health News

6-6-6 Walking Routine Can Help You Stay Fit

10 Breathing Exercises To Try When You’re Feeling Anxious

10 Ways To Beat Morning Fatigue

10 Type Of Squats You Can Do For Weight Loss

Soaked vs. Roasted Chickpeas: Which One is Healthier?

10 Ways For Busy People To Stay Active

10 High-Calorie Foods to Watch Out For At Gatherings

10 Brain Exercises to Improve Your Focus and Memory

Creative Ways to Complete Your 10,000 Steps Indoors

10 Best Carb Choices for Managing Type 2 Diabetes

10 White Foods to Avoid for Better Weight Loss Results

10 Delicious Mediterranean Diet Dinners: Low-Carb and High-Protein Options

Healthy and Protein-Packed Late-Night Snacks to Satisfy Your Cravings

10 Negative Habits That Drain Your Mind’s Power

10 Brain-Boosting Activities to Sharpen Your Mind

10 Protein-Rich Breakfast Dishes To Try

10 Signs Your Heart Is Healthy

10 Foods To Improve Your Brain Health

10 Foods That Boost Your Metabolism

10 Exercise To Improve Grip Strength

10 Staple Foods To Make Eating Healthy Easier

10 Foods You Should Eat If You Are Weight-Training

10 Basics Rules Of Weight Training

10 Ways To Deal With Winter Dry Skin

Workout Week: 10 Back Exercises To Do At Gym

10 Healthy Chicken Recipes For Winter

10 Morning Habits That Can Make You Sick

10 Superfood To Help You Build Immunity

10 Cardio Exercises To Lose Belly Fat

10 Benefits Of Morning Runs

10 Intermittent Fasting Mistakes People Make

10 Toxic Morning Habits To Quit

10 Natural Ways To You Deal With Winter Dryness

10 Reasons Why Pickles Are Good For Winters

10 Healthy Custard Apple Recipes

10 Fun Activities To Build Your Kid’s Strength

10 Benefits Of Fenugreek Leaves

10 Exercises To Target Your Glutes

10 Dairy Alternative For Lactose Intolerant People

10 Health Benefits Of Avocado

After the first rare case of bird flu or the H5N1 virus was reported in Louisiana in December, the unnamed patient died after being hospitalized for a long time. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the patient was over 65 years of age and had existing medical conditions. Due to this, he developed severe illness after being exposed by the bird flu. The sample was taken from a patient in Louisiana, which showed mutations in the gene which is responsible for attaching to host's cells. This is a concern, as it raises the questions of whether the H5N1 virus can actually swap gene segment with other flu?Those who had earlier died from bird flu, many of them were farmers or those who lived near the poultry. However, in the case of the Louisiana resident, the patient tested positive for the flu after he was exposed to wild birds and a personal backyard poultry flock that was invested by the bird flu virus or the H5N1. This is unusual, as according to the CSC, 66 human cases of H5N1 have been confirmed in the US since 2024, where the vast majority was exposed through chemical poultry, or dairy cattle. Cases too have been mild.No other human cases have been identified in Louisiana as of now. “CDC has carefully studied the available information about the person who died in Louisiana and continues to assess that the risk to the general public remains low. Most importantly, no person-to-person transmission spread has been identified,” the CDC said.Is bird flu deadly in humans?As per the CDC, since 2003, amount thousand confirmed cases of human H5N1 was reported to the World Health Organization. Out of this, almost 50% died, and the fatality rate was set at 52%. The countries reporting the highest number of human bird flu deaths are Indonesia, Egypt, Vietnam, Cambodia, and China. While the fatality rate varies by the strain of bird flu, another type, that is, H679 is known to infect humans has a lower fatality rate of 40%.Read more on Bird Flu here.CDC also noted that severe H5N1 avian flu in America was "not expected". "Avian influenza A (H5N1) virus infection has previously been associated with severe human illness in other countries during 2024 and prior years, including illness resulting in death," the CDC stated.Does it come from other animals?Bird flu primarily infected farmworkers or those in close proximity to livestock. The first human bird flu case in the US was reported in 2022, to a person who was also involved in farm-working.While this flu is largely confined to birds in the wild and poultry, recent outbreaks have been reported in mammals too, including cattle.The CDC also noted earlier that the risk to the general public is still at low, however, this warning could change. "Although human infections are rare, circumstances may evolve as we learn more about this case," said the CDC in a statement.Other concernsIf you have cats as pet, or consume eggs from poultry, or milk from dairy, it is important to pay attention on food hygiene. Cats: One of the leading causes is that unlike dogs, cats hunt for smaller prey, which includes birds and mice, carriers of bird flu. Dr Michael Bailey, the president-elect of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), in a guidance released for cat owners noted that by their very nature, cats have more "opportunity" to ger infected with bird flu.“We don't know if the cats are more susceptible than anybody else,” he said. “It's just the fact they're exposed to higher viral burdens because of where they go.”Eggs: Four workers at an egg farm in Southeast Washington's Franklin County were also found positive. The reason was exposure to infected poultry. Five other states in the US have also identified human infections with the virus amid the other cases found in poultry, dairy cattle and wildlife.Pasteurization and cooking them at high temperatures can curb the threat. It is also important to handle your poultry products when you are buying and storing them.Also, avoid drinking raw milk to kill avian influenza A(H5N1).