US records first human case of bird flu

A patient in Louisiana has been hospitalized with a severe infection of avian influenza, marking the first serious human case in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Wednesday.

This new case brings the total number of avian influenza infections in the United States during the ongoing 2024 outbreak to 61.

The CDC reported that the individual was exposed to sick and dead birds in backyard flocks. However, further details, including the patient’s condition and prognosis, have not been disclosed. The infection was confirmed last Friday, with genetic sequencing identifying the H5N1 virus as part of the D1.1 genotype.

The D1.1 genotype has recently been detected in wild birds and poultry across the United States, as well as in human cases reported in Washington state and Canada’s British Columbia province. This genotype differs from the B3.13 genotype, which has been associated with dairy cows, certain poultry outbreaks, and human cases presenting mild symptoms such as conjunctivitis.

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Health officials note that while a handful of U.S. cases have had no identifiable animal source of infection, there is still insufficient evidence to suggest human-to-human transmission.

“This case underscores that in addition to affected commercial poultry and dairy operations, wild birds and backyard flocks also can be a source of exposure,” the CDC stated.

The CDC continues to assess the risk to the general public as low despite the confirmed case. The current outbreak, technically referred to as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1), was first reported in dairy cows in March 2024.

Experts have expressed growing concern over the virus’s adaptability and its increasing frequency in mammalian infections, raising alarms about its potential for cross-species transmission.

As the outbreak unfolds, health authorities remain vigilant, emphasizing the importance of monitoring both wildlife and domestic poultry for signs of the virus.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE