The U.S. reported its first human death from H5N1 bird flu, marking a significant milestone in the outbreak. The patient was over 65 with underlying health conditions and was hospitalized in Louisiana in December. Exposure to a backyard flock and wild birds was identified as the cause. This case is the nation’s first severe H5N1 infection and the first linked to backyard flock exposure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated the risk of person-to-person transmission remains low. Most U.S. cases have been mild, presenting symptoms like pinkeye and cough. However, the Louisiana case showed mutations that could increase transmissibility. Since the outbreak began in 2020, over 130 million birds have been infected, including numerous mammals and dairy cows.
