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First US Death From H5N1 Bird Flu Reported in Louisiana
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Key Takeaways
- The first U.S. H5N1 human death occurred in Louisiana, involving an elderly male with underlying conditions.
- H5N1 primarily affects birds but can cause severe respiratory symptoms in humans, with genetic mutations enhancing human receptor binding.
The patient was hospitalized after exposure to an infected backyard flock.
The Louisiana patient hospitalized for severe H5N1 bird flu has died, according to the Louisiana Department of Health. This makes it the first H5N1-caused human death in the United States.1
H5N1 blood test | Image Credit: © syhin_stas - stock.adobe.com
H5N1 bird flu, or influenza A, is a viral infection that typically spreads among birds, cattle, and other animals. However, it can also be passed to humans, resulting in mild to severe respiratory symptoms and conjunctivitis. H5N1 is primarily contracted from exposure to infected animals or animal carcasses. Although the virus typically resolves in a few days, individuals with preexisting conditions, older adults, and young children may experience worse symptoms and outcomes.2-4
The Louisiana patient is an unidentified male over the age of 65 with underlying health conditions who was hospitalized after exposure to dead birds in a non-commercial backyard flock, as well as wild birds. According to CDC reporting, genetic sequencing of the patient’s nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal samples revealed unique genetic mutations that enhances the virus’s ability to bind to human respiratory receptors. This has raised concerns among health experts and agency leads as cases continue to rise.4
Another case of a 13-year-old female patient in British Columbia also garnered widespread attention when similar mutations were found in a tracheal-aspirate specimen. According to the report published in The New England Journal of Medicine, she was hospitalized in a pediatric intensive care unit for a month and presented with severe respiratory distress with hemodynamic instability, which was followed by respiratory failure, pneumonia in the left lower lobe, acute kidney injury, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia. She was discharged on November 28, 2024.4,5
As of January 2025, all 50 states have H5N1 outbreaks in poultry, which include both commercial and non-commercial farms or backyard flocks. The CDC has also reported rising cases in cattle and dairy cows across 16 states, primarily California, Colorado, Michigan, and Texas. H5N1 cases have been confirmed in pets and other wild animals, with concerns that this may eventually impact pig populations as well.4
Regarding human cases of infection, the CDC confirmed 66 cases as of January 6, 2025, but this count may be inaccurate due to lack of public awareness and limited testing. There have also been no reported cases of human-to-human transmission. However, the presence of mutations in the Louisiana and British Columbia patients may indicate an increased potential for the virus to adapt to human hosts. This risk highlights the critical importance of early detection, testing, and heightened surveillance, particularly as H5N1 continues to spread across multiple species.4
As the situation evolves, continued research and interagency coordination will be critical to understanding and addressing the potential for further mutations. Public awareness campaigns, targeted interventions, and comprehensive surveillance systems will remain vital tools in minimizing the impact of H5N1 and protecting public health on a broader scale.
REFERENCES
LDH reports first U.S. H5N1-related human death. Louisiana Department of Health. January 6, 2025. Accessed January 6, 2025. https://ldh.la.gov/news/H5N1-death#:~:text=The%20Louisiana%20Department%20of%20Health,to%20have%20underlying%20medical%20conditions
Bird flu (avian influenza). Cleveland Clinic. December 5, 2024. Accessed January 6, 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22401-bird-flu#management-and-treatment
Genetic sequences of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses identified in a person in Louisiana. CDC. December 26, 2024. Accessed January 6, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/spotlights/h5n1-response-12232024.html
As human cases of H5N1 rise, experts voice concerns about mutations. Pharmacy Times. January 6, 2025. Accessed January 6, 2025. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/as-human-cases-of-h5n1-rise-experts-voice-concerns-about-mutations
Jassem A, Roberts A, Tyson J, et al. Critical illness in an adolescent with influenza A(H5N1) virus infection. N Engl J Med. December 31, 2024. doi: 10.1056/NEJMc2415890
