Karmactive Staff
The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) announced Friday the state’s first presumptive human case of H5N1 bird flu. A resident of southwestern Louisiana is currently hospitalized and had exposure to sick and dead birds suspected of carrying the virus.
“While the current public health risk for the general public is low, people who work with birds, poultry or cows, or have recreational exposure to them, are at higher risk,” the LDH alert stated.
National Outbreak Status
The case emerges amid a broader national outbreak affecting 845 dairy herds across 16 states, with California bearing the heaviest burden at 630 infected herds. At least 60 confirmed human cases have been documented across the U.S., predominantly among farmworkers in California and Washington who had direct contact with infected animals.
Dr. Julio Figueroa, infectious disease expert at LSU Health New Orleans, expressed measured concern about the virus’s evolution: “It’s pretty good at infecting other animals. But the mixing vessel that is potentially concerning is the pig.” He explained that influenza viruses from birds, humans, and other animals can “mix and match” in pigs, potentially creating “the virus that’s going to be a real problem for us.”
Disease Surveillance and Response
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is conducting confirmatory testing on the Louisiana case, while the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has implemented mandatory milk testing for bird flu to control further spread.
Since 2022, Louisiana has documented approximately 170 cases of bird flu in wild birds. While the state has not reported poultry cases, nationwide figures show over 120 million poultry cases.
Clinical Presentation
H5N1 can cause these symptoms:
- Mild-to-severe fever
- Respiratory symptoms (cough, sore throat)
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Headaches and fatigue
- Eye redness
- Shortness of breath
- Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting
- Seizures
In many people exposed to the virus through cows, conjunctivitis (pink eye) has been the primary symptom.
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Preventive Measures
The LDH recommends:
- Do not touch sick or dead animals or their droppings and do not bring sick wild animals into your home
- Keep pets away from sick or dead animals and their feces
- Cook poultry, eggs, and other animal products to proper temperature and prevent cross-contamination
- Avoid uncooked food products such as unpasteurized raw milk or cheeses from animals with suspected or confirmed infection
- Talk to your provider about seasonal flu vaccination if you work on poultry or dairy farms
- Report dead or sick birds to the USDA toll-free at 866-536-7593 or Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Diagnostic Lab at 318-927-3441
- If a commercial poultry flock is affected, immediately quarantine the premises and bird(s) and limit exposure until regulatory officials respond
Broader Impact
Recent developments include H5N1 detections in various mammals, including a polar bear in Alaska, a Montana mountain lion, a California domestic cat, and wildlife in Washington state. These cases demonstrate the virus’s concerning ability to infect multiple species.
The USDA reported new outbreaks in commercial poultry operations across multiple states, including Wisconsin’s first case since January in Barron County.
“There is no reason to panic,” Dr. Figueroa emphasized, while acknowledging the importance of monitoring and containing the virus’s spread to prevent potentially dangerous mutations.
