First Severe Human Case of Bird Flu Reported in the U.S.
An elderly patient in Louisiana is critically ill with severe avian influenza, marking the first serious human case in the United States. This development, announced by U.S. authorities on Wednesday, has intensified concerns about a potential bird flu pandemic.
The Louisiana case increases the total number of U.S. infections in the current 2024 outbreak to 61. In response to the growing threat, California has declared a state of emergency to strengthen its containment measures.
While previous U.S. cases involved mild symptoms and home recovery, the critical nature of this case has heightened alarm. Globally, similar severe cases have been reported, including a Canadian teenager hospitalized last month.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Louisiana patient, over 65 years old with underlying health conditions, contracted the H5N1 virus after exposure to sick and dead birds in backyard flocks. The Louisiana health department confirmed the patient is battling severe respiratory illness and remains hospitalized in critical condition.
“Over the past two decades, H5 infections have been linked to severe illness globally, with mortality rates reaching up to 50% in some cases,” stated Demetre Daskalakis, a senior CDC official. “This underscores the importance of the joint U.S. federal response.”
California Declares Emergency
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency to ensure state agencies have the resources and flexibility needed to respond swiftly to the outbreak. The declaration includes expanding monitoring systems and supporting the agriculture sector.
Genetic Insights and Mounting Concerns
The Louisiana case, confirmed last Friday, involves the D1.1 H5N1 genotype, recently detected in wild birds, poultry, and human cases in Washington and Canada. This contrasts with the B3.13 genotype, linked to dairy cows and milder human cases.
The CDC noted some U.S. cases, like one in Delaware, lacked an animal source, raising concerns about undetected spillovers or asymptomatic human transmission. Rebecca Christofferson from Louisiana State University emphasized the need for vigilance, while epidemiologist Meg Schaeffer warned that “avian flu could trigger a new pandemic any day.”
Experimental Vaccines and Federal Actions
To prepare for potential human transmission, the U.S. has stockpiled bird flu vaccines. A recent study also reported promising results for an experimental mRNA vaccine that successfully protected ferrets from the virus.
This outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) began in March in dairy cows and has since included cases like a young child in California. Concerns about raw milk as a potential transmission vector have prompted the U.S. Department of Agriculture to mandate raw milk sample testing and federal reporting for any samples testing positive for bird flu.
The situation underscores the need for comprehensive action, including enhanced surveillance, vaccine readiness, and public health measures, to mitigate the risks posed by avian influenza.
Read Original Article: Science Alert
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