Official declarations from U.S. agencies

CDC Confirms First Severe Case of H5N1 Bird Flu in Louisiana Amid 60 Confirmed Cases and 865 Infected Herds

Dec 18, 2024, 12:42 PM

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed the first severe case of H5N1 bird flu in the United States, involving a patient hospitalized in Louisiana. The patient had exposure to sick and dead birds in backyard flocks, according to health officials. This case marks a significant development in the ongoing spread of the H5N1 virus, which has led to a total of 60 confirmed cases of bird flu in the U.S. The virus has been detected in various states, including California, where 649 dairy herds have been infected, and in Alabama, where thousands of chickens have been culled following outbreaks. The USDA has reported a cumulative total of 865 infected herds across 16 states, prompting mandatory testing in several regions. While the CDC has noted that the general public remains at low risk from bird flu, the situation is being closely monitored as the virus continues to evolve and spread.