The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday confirmed that a patient in Louisiana has been hospitalized with the first severe case of H5N1 bird flu in the United States.
The infected patient had been exposed to sick and dead birds in backyard flock, making it the first U.S. case of that origin, according to a CDC news release. No person-to-person spread has been detected.
“This case does not change CDC’s overall assessment of the immediate risk to the public’s health from H5N1 bird flu, which remains low,” the news release said.
The CDC has confirmed 61 human cases of H5N1 in the U.S. since a dairy cattle outbreak began in April. Most have been among farm workers and linked to exposure to cattle or poultry. Two pediatric cases were reported in November, including a teenager in British Columbia, Canada, who was hospitalized in critical condition. The Office of the Provincial Health Officer in British Columbia has not provided patient updates due to privacy concerns.
People who work with animals, tend backyard flocks or hunt are at higher risk of exposure to H5N1, according to the CDC. Viruses may be shed in birds’ saliva, mucus and feces, and in other animals’ respiratory secretions or bodily fluids, including raw milk.
Also on Wednesday, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced two cases of H5N1 had been confirmed in indoor cats that consumed recalled raw milk. Three other possible cat cases are being investigated.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a state of emergency proclamation in light of the multiple cases there, including a child who might have been in contact with wild birds and reported mild symptoms.
“This proclamation is a targeted action to ensure government agencies have the resources and flexibility they need to respond quickly to this outbreak,” Newsom said.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a federal order Dec. 6 requiring nationwide collection of unpasteurized milk samples for H5N1 testing to identify affected herds and implement safety measures.
The Food and Drug Administration has been working on plans to update bird flu vaccines in the event of a pandemic. The CDC recommends avoiding contact with sick or dead animals, properly cooking poultry, eggs and beef, and not consuming raw or unpasteurized milk products.
Resources
- Information from the AAP Red Book on highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1)
- Information for families on bird flu from HealthyChildren.org