Avian flu is sweeping the United States, California has declared a state of emergency and the first hospitalization has occurred in Louisiana.
Since April 2024, a total of 61 people have been diagnosed with H5N1 and the CDC has identified another seven as “probable” cases.
Thirty-seven of the 61 cases have been attributed to interaction with infected livestock, with the remaining infections due to contact with sick birds or an unknown source.
Only one of those patients was seriously ill.
One of the most common symptoms of human avian flu in this outbreak has been conjunctivitis, or conjunctivitis.
Two human cases reported earlier this year in the US only experienced conjunctivitis. Those cases occurred in Texas and Michigan, and both occurred in farm workers who had been in contact with infected cows.
Other symptoms that have been reported include mild upper respiratory tract flu-like symptoms, pneumonia requiring hospitalization, and a high temperature over 100°F.
Milder symptoms include cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath, or trouble breathing.
Like Covid, avian flu virus infection in people cannot be diagnosed by clinical signs and symptoms alone; Laboratory tests are needed.
The CDC notes that bird flu in humans can range in severity, from no symptoms or mild illness, to severe illness that could lead to death.
The swabs used to detect bird flu can be collected from the throat, nose, or eyes of the sick person.
The CDC notes that tests are most accurate when the sample is collected during the first few days of illness.
For critically ill patients, collection and analysis of lower respiratory tract samples can also lead to the diagnosis of avian influenza virus infection.
However, for some patients who are no longer very sick or have fully recovered, it may be difficult to detect the bird flu virus in a sample.
Earlier today, California declared a state of emergency over bird flu in response to the outbreak among the state’s dairy cattle.
California has identified H5N1 in 645 dairy herds since its first detection in late August, according to the state’s agriculture department.
Almost half of the cases were reported in the last 30 days, highlighting the rapid spread of the virus.
Although California was not among the first states to detect H5N1 in dairy cattle, the outbreak has increased significantly since its initial discovery.
The H5NI virus is mainly transmitted between wild birds and poultry on farms, but this year it has also been detected in dairy cows and humans.
The announcement followed news that a person in Louisiana was hospitalized with a severe case of H5N1.
The latest case in Louisiana is the first to be linked to a flock of poultry.
The CDC said in the alert: ‘A sporadic case of severe H5N1 bird flu in a person is not unexpected.
“Avian influenza virus infection has previously been associated with severe human illness in other countries during 2024 and earlier years, including illness resulting in death.”
And they added: ‘No human-to-human transmission of H5 bird flu has been detected. This case does not change CDC’s overall assessment of the immediate public health risk of H5N1 bird flu, which remains low.’
The hospitalized Louisiana patient was first revealed by the state’s health department on Monday, which said he was in the southwestern part of the state and that samples had been sent to the CDC for testing.
The CDC said the H5N1 infection was confirmed by testing on Friday of last week and that a partial viral DNA analysis revealed the patient had the D1.1 variant.
Like all flus, the virus is spread primarily through airborne droplets that are breathed in or enter a person’s mouth, eyes, or nose.
He also said the case underscores the need to take precautions when around flocks and backyard livestock to limit the risk of infection.
In their alert, they urged people to avoid contact with sick or dead animals, particularly wild birds and poultry, whenever possible.
They also said those with direct contact with birds should wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and avoid touching surfaces, such as animal droppings or bedding, that may have come into contact with infected animals.
In Canada, the teenager sick with the same type of bird flu was hospitalized on November 8 after falling ill on November 2.
As of last report in late November, the teen was still in the hospital and in critical condition (requiring help breathing), but was stable.
It was unclear how they contracted the disease, as the dogs and reptiles they had come into contact with tested negative.