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First Severe Human Case of Bird Flu in the US Sparks Pandemic Fears

Experts Monitor Growing Cases Amid Fears of Cross-Species Transmission

Photo:© Tawatchai Prakobkit | Dreamstime.com

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By Kevin Wang

December 19, 2024
3:28 pm
Los Angeles, CA

US health officials confirmed the first severe human case of avian influenza in Louisiana on Wednesday, marking a major escalation in the 2024 outbreak. With 61 reported infections across the country, experts are increasingly worried about the growing risk of a bird flu pandemic. The Louisiana patient, an elderly individual with underlying health conditions, is in critical condition after contracting H5N1 from infected birds. This case raises the total number of human infections in the US to 61, with most patients experiencing mild symptoms and recovering at home. The severity of the Louisiana case, along with similar incidents abroad, has sparked global concern. The CDC confirmed that the patient was exposed to sick and dead birds from a backyard flock. Genetic sequencing identified the virus as the D1.1 genotype,

The Louisiana patient, an elderly individual with underlying health conditions, is in critical condition after contracting H5N1 from infected birds. This case raises the total number of human infections in the US to 61, with most patients experiencing mild symptoms and recovering at home. The severity of the Louisiana case, along with similar incidents abroad, has sparked global concern.

The CDC confirmed that the patient was exposed to sick and dead birds from a backyard flock. Genetic sequencing identified the virus as the D1.1 genotype, which has been found in wild birds, poultry, and human cases in the US and Canada. This strain differs from another variant, B3.13, which has been detected in dairy cows and poultry, and is linked to milder human symptoms.

While health officials stress that there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission and the overall public risk remains low, some experts fear that the reported cases may only represent a fraction of actual infections. Epidemiologist Meg Schaeffer warned, “Avian flu is knocking on our door and could start a new pandemic at any time.”

The current outbreak of H5N1, which was first reported in March 2024 among dairy cows, has seen an increase in mammalian infections, raising concerns about cross-species transmission. In response, the USDA has implemented new regulations requiring raw milk samples to be tested for bird flu, amid fears that the virus could spread via milk.

This colorized electron microscope image released by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in March shows avian influenza A H5N1 virus particles (in yellow).
(Photo: AP/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)

California Declares State of Emergency Amid Growing Bird Flu Cases

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Wednesday in response to the rising bird flu cases, including recent detections in Southern California dairy cows. This declaration follows the CDC’s report of the first severe human case of bird flu in Louisiana, and aims to provide necessary resources to quickly address the outbreak and minimize public health risks.

While the virus has primarily affected wildlife, it has recently spread to dairy cattle, causing illness but not death. Dr. Michael Payne of UC Davis warned that lactating cows could excrete the virus in milk, raising public health concerns. Although there have been no reports of human-to-human transmission, California is taking proactive steps, including quarantining 600 dairies and minimizing worker exposure.

In addition, emergency measures have included voluntary recalls of raw milk from areas where the virus has been detected. Health officials have reiterated the risks of consuming unpasteurized milk, noting it poses additional dangers from bacteria, and strongly advise against it.

Understanding the Threat of H5N1 Bird Flu

The CDC has reported 61 cases of bird flu across 16 US states, with the majority in California. The virus has a high fatality rate in humans, globally around 53%, though human-to-human transmission remains rare. Experts are concerned that mutations could increase the potential for widespread transmission.

Bird flu symptoms in humans are similar to seasonal flu, including fever, sore throat, muscle aches, cough, and eye infections. Anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms after contact with infected animals should stay home and seek medical care. In severe cases, hospitalization, supportive care, or antiviral treatment may be required.
While the CDC and state authorities are closely monitoring the outbreak and taking steps to curb its spread, they emphasize that the immediate risk to the general public remains low.