NEW YORK — The first bird flu death in the United States has been reported. The person had been hospitalized in Louisiana with severe respiratory symptoms.
Louisiana health officials announced the death on Monday.
Health officials said the man was over 65 years old, had underlying health conditions and had come into contact with sick and dead birds in a backyard flock.
He also said genetic analysis suggested the avian influenza virus may have mutated in the patient's body, causing more severe symptoms.
They have revealed few other details about the person.
Since March, 66 cases of avian influenza infection have been confirmed. reported in Americabut the disease so far has been mild, mostly detected among farm workers exposed to sick poultry and dairy cows.
In two cases, an adult in Missouri and a child in California, health officials have not disclosed the route of infection.
The source of the Louisiana man's infection was not considered a mystery. But this is the first human case in the U.S. linked to exposure to backyard birds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Louisiana officials said they were not aware of any other cases in the state, and U.S. officials said there was no evidence the virus was spreading from person to person.
H5N1 avian influenza is widespread among wild birds, poultry, cattle, and other animals.
Its increased presence in the environment increases the likelihood that people will be exposed and infected, officials said.
Officials continue to remind people who have come into contact with sick or dead birds to take precautions when handling poultry, including wearing respiratory and eye protection and gloves.
