U.S. reports first severe human case of bird flu

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed the first severe case of bird flu in a human. The patient is hospitalized in Louisiana.

A person in Louisiana has been hospitalized with bird flu — the country’s first severe human H5N1 infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“The patient is experiencing severe respiratory illness related to H5N1 infection and is currently hospitalized in critical condition,” said Emma Herrock, a spokeswoman for the Louisiana Health Department.

The CDC said the patient was likely exposed to the virus from a backyard flock, which would mark the first time such a flock has been associated with a bird flu infection in a U.S. resident.

“While an investigation into the source of this infection in Louisiana is ongoing, it is believed that the patient that was reported by Louisiana had exposure to sick or dead birds on their property,” said Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, during a briefing Wednesday. 

The case was reported as a presumptive positive by Louisiana on Friday and later confirmed by CDC laboratory testing. 

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/first-severe-human-case-bird-flu-rcna184698

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