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The first bid flu death has been reported in the United States. The Louisiana man who was hospitalized with the first severe case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), H5N1, bird flu did not recover from his illness, reports the Louisiana Department of Health.
Other concerning reports of mammalian illness, including domestic and wild cats with a virus genotype consistent with wild birds complicates the bird flu situation.
Does this bird flu death and species spread mean more complications?
Here’s what we know.
Late last year, Make Food Safe reported the first severe bird flu case in humans. An illness linked to backyard poultry.
Prior human infections have been mild and generally associated with occupational hazards. Most cases involved commercial poultry or dairy farms.
This case was different.
While most bird flu strains have been the “B3.13 genotype,” the illness in this case was caused by the “D1.1 genotype.” A viral strain that had been recently detected in wild birds and poultry in the United States as well as some human cases in British Columbia, Canada, and the state of Washington.
So far, this case is the only human case of bird flu in Louisiana.
According to the department, an “extensive public health investigation has identified no additional H5N1 [bird flu] cases nor evidence of person-to-person transmission.
In addition to the Louisiana man, another serious bird flu case has been in the news.
A British Columbian teenager is also recovering from bird flu infection after a lengthy intensive care unit treatment.
So far, there has not been another bird flu death reported.
The strain causing the recent severe illnesses has been found in birds migrating south. This migration has been impacting commercial and backyard poultry flocks in its wake.
Last month, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) indicated a rise in avian flu outbreaks among poultry. Several included commercial farms, including a broiler farm located in Kent County Delaware where 125,000 birds have been exposed.
California has been hard hit as well as Michigan, where the virus was found in two turkey farms. Backyard poultry has been impacted in Arkansas and Idaho.
As potentially infected wild birds continue to migrate south, other states risk exposure.
In January, APHIS added at least 30 more bird flu detection in mammals. Most of which included the feline variety.
The virus was confirmed in four domestic cats in the state of California (one in Fresno County and three in Los Angeles County).
Cat houses in Washington Conty, Oregon and Morrison County, Minnesota was also impacted.
According to reports from California, more than one bird flu death in cats have been reported in those exposed to raw pet food and raw milk.
Wild cats have also been impacted. A bobcat from Colorado’s Larimer County and a mountain lion near Carson City, Nevada have been associated with bird flu. Five other exotic cats have also tested positive near Denver, Colorado and in the states of California and Idaho.
Besides cats, a fox in Dever and a racoon in King County, Washington have been identified with bird flu.
Bird flu in humans can present a wide range of symptoms. As the virus is changing, it is possible that these known symptoms may evolve. It does seem, however, that like most illnesses, symptoms vary in intensity from mild to severe.
Some of the potential symptoms include:
Less common symptoms include:
The recent bird flu death in Louisiana and serious illness in British Columbia serves as a reminder that this problem is still here, and you should protect yourself to reduce the risk of bird flu illness.
Birds do not know our human physical boundaries, so those in other states (not just Louisiana), should be taking certain precautions.
According to the Louisiana Department of Health, “the current public health risk for the general public remains low.” But it is not absent. Currently, “people who work with birds, poultry, or cows, or have recreational exposure to them, are at higher risk.”
Avoidance is the best policy.
Avoid direct contact with wild birds and other infected or suspected to be infected birds or animals.
The Louisiana Department of Health recommendations include:
Report dead or sick birds or animals to the USDA toll-free at 1-866-536-7593 or the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Diagnostic Lab at 318-927-3441.
If you have been exposed to sick or dead animals or work on a farm where bird flu has been detected, there are a few things health authorities recommend.
Namely, watch for respiratory symptoms or conjunctivitis.
If you develop these symptoms within ten days after exposure, contact your health care provider right away. Notify them that you have been in contact with sick animals and are concerned about avian influenza. This can help expedite testing and treatment.
Whie you are symptomatic, stay home and away from others.
If you’d like to know more about food safety topics in the news, like “First Bird Flu Death in United States Reported,” check out the Make Food Safe Blog. We regularly update trending topics, foodborne infections in the news, recalls, and more! Stay tuned for quality information to help keep your family safe, while The Lange Law Firm, PLLC strives to Make Food Safe!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)
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