The United States has reported its first severe human case of bird flu, with a Louisiana resident hospitalized in critical condition after suspected contact with an infected backyard flock. The patient, who has underlying health conditions and is over 65 years old, is suffering from severe respiratory illness, marking a more severe manifestation of the H5N1 virus. This case is the first linked to non-commercial poultry, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
While bird flu remains a low risk to the general public, the virus has been spreading more widely, especially in dairy herds. California, the nation’s most populous state, declared an emergency as the virus infected numerous dairy cattle and dozens of farm workers this year. Federal and state efforts to control the outbreak have been challenged, as some farmers resist testing and containment measures.
Since April, the CDC has confirmed 61 human cases, mostly among workers on dairy farms where the virus also affected cattle. The Louisiana case is linked to the D1.1 strain, found in wild birds and poultry, which differs from the strain affecting dairy cattle.
Bird flu has impacted over 860 dairy herds across 16 states since March, killing 123 million poultry since the outbreak began in 2022. California, where 649 dairy herds have tested positive, has been particularly affected, with Governor Gavin Newsom's emergency declaration allowing for more flexible responses.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has initiated a national bulk milk bird flu testing plan, enrolling 13 states that produce nearly half of the country’s milk supply.