The first U.S. bird flu death has been confirmed in Louisiana. The patient, over 65 with underlying conditions, contracted the H5N1 virus through contact with backyard flocks and wild birds.
The CDC called the death “not unexpected” and reaffirmed that the risk to the general public remains low, with no person-to-person transmission identified.
Since April, the U.S. has reported 66 bird flu cases, mostly mild. The CDC advises avoiding contact with sick birds and using protective equipment if exposure is unavoidable.
