CDC Confirms First Severe Case of H5N1 Bird Flu in the United States

December 18, 2024— A affected person has been hospitalized with a extreme case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus (“H5N1 hen flu”) an infection in Louisiana. This marks the primary occasion of extreme sickness linked to the virus in america. The case was confirmed by the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) on Friday, December 13. Since April 2024, there have been a complete of 61 reported human circumstances of H5 hen flu reported in america.

Partial viral genome information of the H5N1 avian influenza virus that contaminated the affected person in Louisiana signifies that the virus belongs to the D1.1 genotype associated to different D1.1 viruses lately detected in wild birds and poultry in america and in current human circumstances in British Columbia, Canada, and Washington state. This H5N1 hen flu genotype is totally different than the B3.13 genotype detected in dairy cows, sporadic human circumstances in a number of states, and a few poultry outbreaks in america. Extra genomic sequencing and efforts to isolate virus from medical specimens from the affected person in Louisiana are underway at CDC.

Whereas an investigation into the supply of the an infection in Louisiana is ongoing, it has been decided that the affected person had publicity to sick and useless birds in yard flocks. That is the primary case of H5N1 hen flu within the U.S. that has been linked to publicity to a yard flock. A sporadic case of extreme H5N1 hen flu sickness in an individual will not be surprising; avian influenza A(H5N1) virus an infection has beforehand been related to extreme human sickness in different nations throughout 2024 and prior years, together with sickness leading to demise. Nobody-to-person unfold of H5 hen flu has been detected. This case doesn’t change CDC’s total evaluation of the speedy threat to the general public’s well being from H5N1 hen flu, which stays low.

This case underscores that, along with affected industrial poultry and dairy operations, wild birds and yard flocks additionally could be a supply of publicity. Folks with work or leisure exposures to contaminated animals are at greater threat of an infection and may comply with CDC’s really helpful precautions when round animals which might be contaminated or probably contaminated with H5N1 avian influenza virus. Which means that yard flock homeowners, hunters and different hen fans must also take precautions.

One of the simplest ways to forestall H5 hen flu is to keep away from publicity every time doable. Contaminated birds shed avian influenza A viruses of their saliva, mucous, and feces. Different contaminated animals might shed avian influenza A viruses in respiratory secretions and different bodily fluids (e.g., in unpasteurized cow milk or ‘uncooked milk’).

• As a normal precaution, every time doable, folks ought to keep away from contact with sick or useless animals, particularly wild birds, and poultry.
• For people with direct/shut contact with wild birds or sick or useless poultry or different animals, put on really helpful private protecting tools (PPE). Wild birds may be contaminated with avian influenza A viruses even when they do not look sick.
• Don’t contact surfaces or supplies (e.g., animal litter or bedding materials) contaminated with saliva, mucous, or animal feces from wild or home birds or different animals with confirmed or suspected avian influenza A virus an infection.

For extra info on H5 hen flu within the U.S. and CDC’s response, together with often up to date case counts, go to the H5 Chicken Flu: Present State of affairs web page.