(NewsNation) — The Louisiana Public Health Department has reported the first bird flu-related human death in the United States.
The patient, who was over 65, contracted bird flu after coming in contact with both a backyard bird flock and wild birds. That person was the first to contract a severe case of the illness in the nation, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The patient was “reported to have underlying medical conditions,” health officials said in the release.
“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,” LDPH’s statement reads.
The Lousiana Department of Public Health says this remains the only case in the Pelican State.
What is H51N avian influenza, or bird flu?
A United States outbreak of bird flu first popped up in poultry and dairy cows. Humans can contract bird flu by handling infected animals, eating the undercooked meat of sick animals and consuming unpasteurized milk from infected cows.
Symptoms include:
- Respiratory symptoms
- Conjunctivitis, or pink eye
The CDC has confirmed 66 reported cases in the U.S. since last April, detecting the first severe human case in Louisiana on Dec. 13. No person-to-person spread has been reported yet.
