The United States has reported its first human death from H5N1 bird flu, raising concerns about the virus’s potential to become more transmissible among humans.
The patient, a person over 65 with underlying health conditions, was hospitalized in mid-December after contracting the virus in Louisiana. This marks the country’s first severe case of H5N1, which has primarily affected farm workers since last year.
The Louisiana Department of Health reported that the patient had been exposed to both “backyard flocks” and wild birds, but did not spread the virus to others. While the general public’s risk remains low, the department noted that those in close contact with birds, poultry, or cows face a higher risk.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said, “While tragic, a death from H5N1 bird flu in the United States is not unexpected because of the known potential for infection with these viruses to cause severe illness and death.” The virus has been widespread in birds globally, but human infections are rare, typically occurring in individuals with direct animal exposure.
“As with the case in Louisiana, most H5 bird flu infections are related to animal-to-human exposures,” the CDC explained. Since early 2024, the U.S. has confirmed 66 human cases of bird flu, primarily from livestock farms.
In addition to the human death, 16 states have reported bird flu outbreaks in dairy cows, with 917 herds affected. Despite this, only two U.S. patients have had no known animal exposure: a Missouri patient who recovered and a California child who experienced mild symptoms.
Experts remain concerned that the spread of H5N1 among animals could increase human exposure, potentially leading to a wider outbreak. Recent samples from the Louisiana patient show mutations in the virus, raising fears it could become more easily transmissible among people.
