The Louisiana Department of Health reported the first bird flu-related human death in the United States on Monday. “The Louisiana Department of Health reports the patient who had been hospitalized with the first human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or H5N1, in Louisiana and the U.S. has died,” the Louisiana Department of Health stated in a press release. “The patient was over the age of 65 and was reported to have underlying medical conditions. The patient contracted H5N1 after exposure to a combination of a non-commercial backyard flock and wild birds,” it added. State health officials said “current general public health risk remains low.” #BREAKING: The first U.S. deəth fromH5N1 bird flu has just been reported in Louisiana Just 14 DAYS before Trump takes office, of course Here we go again pic.twitter.com/U1f6fOUf8O — Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) January 6, 2025 “LDH’s extensive public health investigation has identified no additional H5N1 cases nor evidence of person-to-person transmission. This patient remains the only human case of H5N1 in Louisiana,” the press release added. BREAKING: Louisiana reports first U.S. (Bird flu) H5N1-related human death pic.twitter.com/wuk3KUtzn5 — Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) January 6, 2025 “A patient has been hospitalized with a severe case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus (‘H5N1 bird flu’) infection in Louisiana. This marks the first instance of severe illness linked to the virus in the United States. The case was confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday, December 13,” the CDC stated in December. “Since April 2024, there have been a total of 61 reported human cases of H5 bird flu reported in the United States,” it added. CDC confirms first severe case of H5N1 Bird Flu in the U.S. While an investigation into the source of the infection is ongoing, it has been determined that the patient had exposure to sick and dead birds in backyard flocks. No person-to-person spread of H5 bird flu has been… pic.twitter.com/0jgHKkjQpx — CDC (@CDCgov) December 18, 2024 From the CDC: Partial viral genome data of the H5N1 avian influenza virus that infected the patient in Louisiana indicates that the virus belongs to the D1.1 genotype related to other D1.1 viruses recently detected in wild birds and poultry in the United States and in recent human cases in British Columbia, Canada, and Washington state. 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. Additional genomic sequencing and efforts to isolate virus from clinical specimens from the patient in Louisiana are underway at CDC. 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. A sporadic case of severe H5N1 bird flu illness in a person is not unexpected; 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. No person-to-person spread of H5 bird flu has been detected. 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. #BREAKING: Louisiana reports 1st human death from H5N1 bird flu in the U.S. pic.twitter.com/rOCYfnOi9I — R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) January 6, 2025 JUST IN: Louisiana, USA reports first human death from H5N1 bird flu in the United States. pic.twitter.com/Pe1FBifqkt — BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) January 6, 2025 The Louisiana Department of Health noted: The Department expresses its deepest condolences to the patient’s family and friends as they mourn the loss of their loved one. Due to patient confidentiality and respect for the family, this will be the final update about the patient. While the current public health risk for the general public remains low, people who work with birds, poultry or cows, or have recreational exposure to them, are at higher risk. The best way to protect yourself and your family from H5N1 is to avoid sources of exposure. That means avoiding direct contact with wild birds and other animals infected with or suspected to be infected with bird flu viruses.