First Human Fatality from H5N1 Bird Flu Recorded in the U.S.

A Louisiana patient, over 65 years old and with underlying health conditions, has become the first confirmed human death from H5N1 bird flu in the United States, as reported by the Louisiana Department of Health on January 7, 2025. The individual was hospitalized on December 18 after exposure to both backyard chickens and wild birds.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that nearly 70 human cases of bird flu have been reported since April, primarily among farmworkers. Health officials have maintained that the overall risk to the general public remains low, despite a significant outbreak that has led to the death of approximately 130 million poultry and affected 917 dairy herds nationwide.

This particular case involved the D1.1 genotype of the virus, the same variant detected in recent cases among wildlife and poultry in Washington State. Experts emphasize the need for vigilance, stating that while most H5N1 cases in the U.S. have been mild, the potential for severe disease and death exists, particularly for those in close contact with birds or poultry.

Public health specialists, including Dr. Amesh Adalja from Johns Hopkins, have labeled the death as tragic yet unsurprising, highlighting an urgent need for increased awareness regarding bird flu. The World Health Organization has reported over 950 global human cases of bird flu, with about half leading to fatalities.