US Reports First Human Death from Bird Flu, Expert Warns of Risks

The United States has reported its first human death from bird flu, with Louisiana health officials confirming the case on Monday. The patient, aged over 65, had underlying health conditions and was hospitalized in mid-December.

The Louisiana Department of Health stated that the patient contracted the H5N1 virus after exposure to a combination of backyard poultry and wild birds. Authorities emphasized that there is no evidence of person-to-person transmission and that the overall public risk remains low.

Since the start of 2024, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recorded 66 human cases of bird flu nationwide. Scientists have raised concerns about the potential for the virus to mutate into a more transmissible form, increasing the risk of a pandemic.

“This virus can be lethal, more so than many other viruses we track,” said Jennifer Nuzzo, a Brown University epidemiology professor.

The CDC continues to monitor cases closely and has bolstered surveillance and research programs, with the federal government allocating an additional $306 million to combat the issue.