January 6, 2025, the CDC was sad to report that the U.S. had their first bird flu (avian influenza/ H5N1) death located in Louisiana. The patient was hospitalized after contracting severe avian influenza from wild birds and a personal backyard flock that was infected with the virus. The Louisiana Department of Health stated that the patient was 65 with underlying medical conditions. Aside from an already weak immune system, a genetic analysis test suggests that the virus may have mutated inside the patient’s body, causing the severe death. As of now there have been no additional human cases of H5N1 nor any person-to-person transmission in Louisiana.
CDC has thoroughly studied the available information and continues to assess that the risk to the general public remains low. However, people with recreational or job-related exposures to infected birds, poultry, or cows have higher risk of infection. To better protect yourself and your family from avian influenza, avoid sources of exposure. Which means to avoid direct contact with wild birds or other animals infected or suspected of being infected with bird flu viruses.
Protecting yourself and others from H5N1 infection
- Do not touch sick or dead animals or their droppings and do not bring sick wild animals into your home.
- Keep your pets away from sick or dead animals and their feces.
- Do not eat uncooked or undercooked food. Cook poultry, eggs and other animal products to the proper temperature and prevent cross-contamination between raw and cooked food.
- Avoid uncooked food products such as unpasteurized raw milk or cheeses from animals that have a suspected or confirmed infection.
- If you work on poultry or dairy farms, talk to your provider about getting your seasonal flu vaccination. It will not prevent infection with avian influenza viruses, but it can reduce the risk of coinfection with avian and flu viruses.