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First US Bird Flu Death in Louisiana Prompts $306 Million Response, Moderna's mRNA H5N1 Vaccine in Spotlight

Jan 8, 2025, 02:30 PM

The first human death from bird flu in the United States was reported in Louisiana, involving an individual over 65 with underlying medical conditions who had been in contact with sick and dead birds in a backyard flock. The H5N1 virus, responsible for the death, had mutated inside the patient, potentially leading to the severe illness. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced a $306 million investment to combat the spread of bird flu, emphasizing preparedness and surveillance efforts. The World Health Organization maintains that the risk to the general population remains low, despite the death, as the virus is not circulating among humans but jumping from animals to humans. Moderna Inc. has seen its stock rise by up to 20% this week, attributed to the focus on its development of an mRNA H5N1 vaccine, which is in early stages of testing. The company received $176 million from the U.S. government in July 2024 to advance this vaccine's development. Since 2024, there have been 66 confirmed cases of H5N1 in the US, according to the CDC.