A person in Louisiana contracted the nation's first serious human case of avian influenza, or bird flu, and was admitted to the hospital in recent days, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC determined the person was likely exposed to H5N1, or bird flu, from sick or dead birds in a backyard flock - the first time a U.S. case has been linked to a backyard flock. Since April 2024, 61 human cases of bird flu have been reported in the U.S.
The virus has only spread from animals to humans. Should it spread from person to person, the level of public health concern would significantly increase. "CDC's overall assessment of the immediate risk to the public's health from H5N1 bird flu, which remains low," the announcement stated, citing the Louisiana case.
Bird flu cases have been detected in eight states in 2024
On Wednesday, Wisconsin officials said a person who came into contact with sick animals at a commercial poultry facility may have contracted bird flu. The CDC has not yet confirmed that case.
California declared a state of emergency this week in response to growing concerns about bird flu. The disease has spread through dairy cattle throughout the state and led to several human cases.
The bird flu virus outbreak is found in commercial poultry and backyards
As of Dec. 19, bird flu has been reported during the past three years in more than 125 million birds in 569 counties and all 50 U.S. states, according to the CDC.
While it's still uncommon for bird flu viruses to jump to humans, humans can contract the disease through the mouth, eyes, or nose. In some cases, people have inhaled the virus after coming into contact with an infected animal.
◾ Symptoms can be mild: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, eye infections ((conjunctivitis, or pinkeye), runny or stuffy nose, fatigue and muscle aches.
◾ Symptoms can be severe: shortness of breath, high fever (100 degrees or higher), pneumonia (requiring hospitalization) and severe repertory disease.
CONTRIBUTING Karen Weintraub and Eduardo Cuevas