First Bird Flu Death in the U.S. Confirmed in Louisana

The H5N1 bird flu virus was a growing topic of concern in the past couple of years, with the first human case reported in April 2024. By December 2024, there were 66 total human cases reported and confirmed in 10 states.

It started on March 25, 2024 when a bird flu outbreak in dairy cows was reported in Texas and Kansas. California quickly began to monitor their herds for the virus.

While the bird flu was on everyone's radars, there had been no reported deaths in the U.S., until January 6th, 2025.

What is the Bird Flu?

Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a highly contagious viral disease that primarily affects birds but can occasionally infect humans and other mammals. It is caused by influenza A viruses, which are divided into multiple subtypes based on their surface proteins.

While most strains of bird flu don't easily infect humans, some, such as H5N1, H7N9, and H5N6, have been a cause for concern due to their potential to cause severe illness in people. The virus typically spreads among wild and domesticated birds, with human infections usually resulting from close contact with infected poultry or their environments.

First U.S. Bird Flu Death Reported

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the first U.S. death from H5N1 bird flu in Louisiana. The patient, who was over 65 and had underlying health conditions, died after being hospitalized with a severe case of avian influenza A(H5N1). They had previously been exposed to flocks of birds and wild birds in their backyard.

This fatal case of bird flu involved the D1.1 genotype of the H5N1 virus, which is distinct from the B3.13 genotype affecting dairy cattle in the United States. This D1.1 strain, part of the 2.3.4.4b clade circulating globally in wild birds and poultry, has been linked to several human infections with varying severity.

While it caused a severe and ultimately fatal illness in the Louisiana patient, it also infected poultry cullers in Washington state who experienced milder symptoms. In Canada, a critically ill 13-year-old girl infected with the D1.1 strain required intensive care but ultimately recovered, though the source of her exposure remains unknown.

While this is a tragic situation, health officials stress that this outcome was not entirely unexpected given the virus's known potential for causing severe illness. Since 2024, the United States has recorded 66 confirmed human cases of H5N1 bird flu, with this being the first fatality.

Globally, the World Health Organization has reported close to 900 cases, with approximately half resulting in death.

“We’ve been studying the family tree of this virus for 25 odd years, and this is probably the nastiest form of the virus that we’ve seen. So the fact that it finally did cause a fatal infection here is tragic but not surprising,” said Dr. Richard Webby, Director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Studies on the Ecology of Influenza in Animals and Birds at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Despite this development, the CDC maintains that the risk to the general public remains low. No human-to-human transmission has been identified, with most infections resulting from animal-to-human exposure.

Health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing that there are currently no concerning virologic changes in wild birds, poultry, or cattle that would elevate the risk to human health. However, people who work with or have recreational exposure to birds and poultry are advised to take necessary precautions.

How Can You Get the Bird Flu?

The most common way humans can contract bird flu through is close contact with infected birds or their environments. The virus spreads when people touch contaminated surfaces, breathe in respiratory droplets or dust particles containing the virus, or have direct contact with infected birds' bodily fluids such as saliva, mucus, or feces.

You can increase your risk of infection by handling infected poultry, cleaning their habitats, or slaughtering infected birds.

While rare, human-to-human transmission has occurred in a few cases, typically involving close contact with someone already infected with the bird flu. It's important to note that properly cooked poultry and eggs do not transmit bird flu, as infected flocks are removed from the food supply. People working with poultry, waterfowl, or in live bird markets are at higher risk of contracting the virus.

Symptoms of the Bird Flu

Bird flu, or avian influenza, can cause a range of symptoms in humans, from mild to severe.

Common symptoms include:

• Fever (temperature of 100°F [37.8°C] or higher)

• Cough

• Sore throat

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Muscle or body aches

• Headache

• Fatigue

• Eye redness and irritation (conjunctivitis)

Less common symptoms may include diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. In severe cases, people might experience difficulty breathing, pneumonia, or acute respiratory distress syndrome. Symptoms typically appear within 3 to 5 days after exposure, but can range from 2 to 7 days.

While most recent U.S. cases have been mild, the severity can vary, and medical attention is crucial if bird flu is suspected, especially for those with known exposure to infected birds or contaminated environments.

Is it Safe to Eat Chicken Products?

Despite the ongoing bird flu outbreak, it remains safe to eat eggs and chicken products purchased from grocery stores. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other health authorities maintain that properly handled and cooked eggs and poultry pose minimal risk to consumers.

The likelihood of infected poultry or eggs reaching the retail market is low due to rigorous testing and federal inspection programs. Cooking eggs and poultry thoroughly kills any potential viruses or bacteria, including the bird flu virus.

For added safety, make sure to practice proper food handling techniques, such as washing your hands after handling raw eggs or poultry, and avoiding cross-contamination between raw and cooked foods. While the outbreak has affected egg supplies and prices, it has not compromised the safety of commercially available eggs and chicken products.