AND patient in Louisiana who was hospitalized with the first human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI, or bird flu), has died, health officials announced Monday.
The death was reported by the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH). The patient, who has not been identified, was over the age of 65 and reportedly suffered from health problems, the agency said.
“The patient became infected with H5N1 after exposure to a combination of non-commercial backyard herd and wild birds“, it is stated in the press release of LDH.
BIRD FLU PATIENT HAD VIRUS MUTATIONS, CAUSING CONCERN ABOUT HUMAN SPREAD
“The department extends its deepest sympathies to the patient’s family and friends as they mourn the loss of a loved one.”
“Out of patient confidentiality and respect for the family, this will be the last update on the patient.”
The patient had a mutated form of the virus
A patient from Louisiana was found to have a a mutated version of the virusthe US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced last week.
A patient in Louisiana who was hospitalized with the first human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has died, health officials announced Monday. (iStock)
The fact that the virus mutated inside the patient suggests that it could potential spread from man to man.
The CDC analyzed samples of the H5N1 virus collected from the patient, comparing its genomic sequences to those of infected dairy cows, wild birds, poultry and other animals, the agency said.
“Patient became infected with H5N1 after exposure to combination of non-commercial backyard flock and wild birds.”
“The analysis identified low-frequency mutations in the hemagglutinin gene of the sample sequenced from the patient, which were not found in the virus sequences from the poultry samples collected on the patient’s farm, suggesting changes occurring in the patient after infection,” the CDC said.
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“Although these low-frequency changes are rare in humans, they have been reported in previous cases of A(H5N1) in other countries and most commonly during serious illness.”
Officials warn that those who come into contact with birds, poultry or cows have a higher risk of contracting the virus. (Photo by Uli Deck/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Based on the discovery of these genetic changes in the virus, health officials recommend conducting “continuous genomic surveillance” in humans and animals, taking steps to combat bird flu outbreaks among dairy cattle and poultry and taking steps to prevent transmission when exposed to infected animals or the environment.
The risk remains low, officials say
Both CDC and LDH consider the risk to the general public to remain low.
Officials warned, however, that those who come into contact with birds, poultry or cows have a higher risk of contracting the virus.
As of Friday, there were 66 confirmed cases of bird flu in humans, including the case in Louisiana, according to the CDC. (iStock)
As of Friday, there were 66 confirmed cases of bird flu in humans, including the case in Louisiana, according to the CDC. Of these, 37 were in California alone, 11 in Washington and 10 in Colorado.
Approximately 40 cases were associated with exposure to cattle herds.
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Bird flu is a a highly contagious virus which can be spread by contact with infected animals, equipment, and on the clothing and footwear of caregivers, according to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
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Fox News Digital reached out to the CDC.
