CDC Confirms First Severe Case of H5N1 Bird Flu in the United States
www.cdc.gov
December 18, 2024-- A patient has been hospitalized with a severe case of avian influenza A(H5N1)

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/23282836

Summary

The CDC confirmed the first severe U.S. case of H5N1 bird flu in Louisiana, linked to exposure to sick and dead birds in a backyard flock.

This marks the first backyard flock-related case in the U.S., though 61 human cases of H5 bird flu have been reported since April 2024.

The virus belongs to the D1.1 genotype, found in wild birds and recent cases in Canada and the U.S.

There is no evidence of person-to-person spread, and public health risk remains low. The CDC advises precautions for those exposed to infected animals.

  • marine_mustang@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    11·
    12 hours ago

    No, because there’s still no significant human-to-human spread. All human cases got it from exposure to birds or drinking raw milk from infected cows. I won’t worry about it until it mutates into something humans can spread easily to each other.

    • shalafi@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      10 hours ago

      My take as well. I have no shits to give until we see a mutation take off and go widespread. Global health authorities have eyes on this and they know far more than us lemmings.