US reports first human death from bird flu as Louisiana man dies, health officials say

7 January 2025, 02:32

A pelican suspected to have died from H5N1 avian influenza is seen on a beach.
A pelican suspected to have died from H5N1 avian influenza is seen on a beach. Picture: Getty

By Josef Al Shemary

The US has reported the first death of a human caused by bird flu after a Louisiana man died.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The person who died was a man over the age of 65 and was reported to have underlying health conditions. The man has not yet been publicly identified.

Health officials announced the death of the man on Monday, marking the first death from the virus in the US.

The man was over 65 years of age and was hospitalised with severe respiratory symptoms.

He had contracted the virus after coming in contact with sick and dead birds in a backyard flock and wild birds.

Few other details have been released about the man.

The tragic milestone comes after at least 67 cases of bird flu have been recorded in the country.

Bird flu is officially known as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or H5N1. The man was the only known human case of bird flu identified in Louisiana.

H5N1 is a type of influenza virus that causes highly infectious and severe respiratory disease in birds.

In the United States, outbreaks of the currently circulating H5N1 avian influenza viruses in wild birds and poultry have been ongoing since 2022.

As of January 6, 2024, 66 confirmed human cases of H5N1 have been reported across the U.S., with the majority linked to exposure to infected poultry or dairy cows.

Read more: Flu hospitalisations quadruple in a month - 3.5 times last year's figure, as experts warn of 'dangerous' weekend ahead

Read more: NHS Cornwall declares critical incident as flu cases quadruple and experts warn of 'dangerous' weekend ahead

A man in a protective body suit walks past a sign warning of a outbreak of the H7 strain of bird flu, at Eastwood Farm, near Banbury in 2008
A man in a protective body suit walks past a sign warning of a outbreak of the H7 strain of bird flu, at Eastwood Farm, near Banbury in 2008. Picture: Getty

There has been no human-to-human virus transmission in the U.S. yet.

In a statement, the Louisiana Department of Health said its “extensive public health investigation has identified no additional H5N1 cases nor evidence of person-to-person transmission.”

It added: “This patient remains the only human case of H5N1 in Louisiana.

“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.”

The health department says that 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.

In two other cases – a Missouri adult and a child in California – health officials are yet to determine how the virus was caught.

They urge people to take extra care, saying: “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.”

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Craig and Lindsay Foreman

Did motorbike couple's 'happiness' survey prompt arrest on spying charges in Iran?

Abdirahman Ibrahim has been convicted of murder after driving into the back of Liam Jones

Killer driver mows down e-bike rider to 'teach him lesson' for doing wheelies

The Vatican says Pope Francis is being treated for 'bilateral pneumonia'

New scans show Pope Francis has pneumonia in both lungs but Vatican says he remains ‘in good spirits’

Meghan

Meghan Markle could face 'legal action' from Spanish town as her new luxury brand logo faces resemblance to coat of arms

The father of murdered schoolgirl Sara Sharif is reportedly being protected by a 'Muslim gang'

Sara Sharif's father protected by 'Muslim gang' in jail after being attacked with jagged tuna lid

Zhenhao Zou is accused of raping three women in London and 7 in China, whilst they were unconscious

PhD student 'discussed rape role-play' with alleged victim, trial hears

Exclusive
Senior Tories including Suella Braverman and Michael Gove have criticised the judge's comments

Senior Tories blast 'out of touch' judge for 'ludicrous attack' on Starmer’s migrant remarks

Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, died in an airstrike, Hamas said

Bodies of youngest Israeli hostage Kfir Bibas and his brother and mother to be handed over as family ‘in turmoil’

Lisa Smith, 43, was with a female friend when she was killed outside the Three Horseshoes pub in Knockholt, Kent

Man suspected of fatally shooting wife outside pub on Valentine's Day rang friend and said 'she's dead'

Carry On legend Julian Holloway dies aged 80

Carry On legend Julian Holloway dies aged 80 after 'brief illness' as tributes pour in

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned 'any appearance by armed forces under some other flag' in Ukraine would be 'completely unacceptable', in a dig at a peace plan floated by Keir Starmer.

Keir Starmer’s Ukraine peacekeeping plan ‘completely unacceptable’, Russia tells US in Saudi Arabia talks

Rita Lambourne, 58, was “fatally wounded” at her home in Bayencourt South, Bexhill

Man charged with axe murder of woman in own home

Lydia Mugambe is accused of taking 'advantage of her status'

UN judge ‘trafficked woman to UK to be her slave'

Anonymous posters have appeared in Hampstead Heath, a park in north London, calling for gay men to stop using the park for sex.

'Take back Hampstead Heath', dog walkers urged as posters appear calling for men to stop using park for sex

Gavin Nicholls was tackled to the ground by a plain-clothed officer outside the Co-op in Barnet

Moment serial shoplifter is tackled off e-scooter by police as he flees store in north London

The plane, which was carrying 80 people, slid down onto the icy runway at Toronto Pearson International Airport before bursting into flames

Horrifying video shows moment Delta plane crashes on tarmac and bursts into flames at Toronto airport