A Louisiana man has become the first person in the United States to die of avian influenza, state health officials reported Monday.
The patient, who was older than 65 and had underlying medical conditions, was hospitalized weeks ago in critical condition with severe respiratory illness related to the H5N1 bird flu virus. The patient, whom people familiar with the investigation have identified as a man, had been in contact with sick and dead birds in backyard flocks on his property, state health officials said in a statement.
The Louisiana patient’s death does not change the overall assessment by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the immediate risk to the public’s health from H5N1 bird flu, which remains low. The CDC has expanded its recommendations for testing and treatment of bird flu during the past few months for anyone with high-risk exposure, primarily farm workers.
The Louisiana Department of Health did not provide details about when the patient died or what treatment he received.
State health officials said they have identified no additional H5N1 cases in residents, nor evidence of person-to-person transmission.
“The Department expresses its deepest condolences to the patient’s family and friends as they mourn the loss of their loved one. Due to patient confidentiality and respect for the family, this will be the final update about the patient,” the statement said.
