US Reports First Bird Flu Death
Louisiana reported the first U.S. death from the H5N1 bird flu virus, an individual over 65 with pre-existing health conditions who contracted the virus from backyard birds in December. While 66 H5N1 cases have been confirmed nationwide, most were mild; this case is unique due to its severity and the individual’s infection from a strain distinct from that affecting cattle. Genetic analysis revealed potential adaptations in the virus, enabling enhanced binding to human upper airway cells, though no evidence of human-to-human transmission exists.
John Q. Hosedrinker