The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed the first U.S. death linked to bird flu, specifically the H5N1 strain. The individual, who was over 65 years old and had underlying health conditions, was hospitalized after exposure to infected birds, including a personal flock and wild birds.

Health officials stated there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission or additional cases related to this incident. While bird flu, caused by a virus that primarily affects birds and occasionally other animals like foxes and otters, rarely infects humans, it poses higher risks to those in close contact with birds, poultry, or livestock.

Since 2024, 66 cases of H5N1 bird flu have been reported in the U.S., according to the CDC. The H5N1 strain, first identified in China in the late 1990s, is now widespread among wild birds globally. Most human infections occur through close contact with infected birds or contaminated environments.

Globally, the WHO has documented 954 confirmed human cases of bird flu since 2003, with nearly half proving fatal. Sustained human-to-human transmission has not been observed.

The Louisiana case involved the D1.1 variant of H5N1, recently detected in North America. The same variant was identified in a 13-year-old girl in Canada in late 2024, according to The New England Journal of Medicine. This differs from the B3.13 variant, which has been spreading among cattle in the U.S.

Symptoms of H5N1 infection in humans typically include fever, cough, sore throat, muscle pain, and fatigue, with non-respiratory symptoms such as conjunctivitis also possible. The WHO notes that asymptomatic cases have occurred among individuals exposed to infected animals.

Although the risk of human infection remains low, health authorities continue to monitor the virus for mutations that could enable easier person-to-person transmission.