An individual in Louisiana contracted the nation’s first critical human case of avian influenza, or hen flu, and was admitted to the hospital in latest days, based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC decided the particular person was possible uncovered to H5N1, or hen flu, from sick or lifeless birds in a yard flock – the primary time a U.S. case has been linked to a yard flock. Since April 2024, 61 human circumstances of hen flu have been reported within the U.S.
The virus has solely unfold from animals to people. Should it unfold from individual to individual, the extent of public well being concern would considerably improve. “CDC’s general evaluation of the fast danger to the general public’s well being from H5N1 hen flu, which stays low,” the announcement stated, citing the Louisiana case.
Bird flu circumstances have been detected in eight states in 2024
On Wednesday, Wisconsin officials mentioned an individual who got here into contact with sick animals at a industrial poultry facility might have contracted hen flu. The CDC has not but confirmed that case.
California declared a state of emergency this week in response to rising issues about hen flu. The illness has unfold by way of dairy cattle all through the state and led to a number of human circumstances.
More:Louisiana bird flu patient is first in US to have a ‘severe’ case
The hen flu virus outbreak is present in industrial poultry and backyards
As of Dec. 19, hen flu has been reported through the previous three years in additional than 125 million birds in 569 counties and all 50 U.S. states, based on the CDC.
The CDC recommends folks comparable to backyard flock owners, hunters and hen fanatics take extra precautions in the event that they work round or have leisure publicity to birds or livestock.
What are the signs of hen flu in people?
While it is nonetheless unusual for hen flu viruses to leap to people, people can contract the illness by way of the mouth, eyes, or nostril. In some circumstances, folks have inhaled the virus after coming into contact with an contaminated animal.
◾ Symptoms may be delicate: fever, cough, sore throat, physique aches, eye infections ((conjunctivitis, or pinkeye), runny or stuffy nostril, fatigue and muscle aches.
◾ Symptoms may be extreme: shortness of breath, excessive fever (100 levels or increased), pneumonia (requiring hospitalization) and extreme repertory illness.
CONTRIBUTING Karen Weintraub and Eduardo Cuevas
