A man has become the first person in the US to die from bird flu, but the authorities warn infections are contagious and can be common as they issue a public warning about the symptoms to look out for.
Health authorities warn the main strain of bird flu at the moment, H5N1, caught its first human case in April last year and in eight months, and infected 66 people across 10 States, including Wisconsin.
California even declared a state of emergency in December after 34 people contracted the strain.
But as sufferers mostly reported mild symptoms, virus experts were not prepared for a bird flu death.
Yet the Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed an unnamed person has become the first person ever to die from the virus in the US.
The man, who was said to be over the age of 65, had come into contact with a combination of sick backyard flock and wild fowl.
The patient then developed severe respiratory problems as a genetic analysis later revealed the virus had mutated inside him.
Doctors believe the mutated virus possibly caused the man to suffer from a more severe illness which ultimately led to his death.
Public health bodies are now warning that the death is a stark reminder of the serious threat bird flu continues to pose.
Reacting to the tragic news, Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at the Brown University School of Public Health, said: “[Bird flu] is a serious threat and it has historically been a deadly virus. This is just a tragic reminder of that. Just because we have seen mild cases does not mean future cases will continue to be mild”, The Mirror reports.
The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) also said in a statement: “The patient contracted H5N1 after exposure to a combination of a non-commercial backyard flock and wild birds.
“LDH’s extensive public health investigation has identified no additional H5N1 cases nor evidence of person-to-person transmission. This patient remains the only human case of H5N1 in Louisiana.
“The Department expresses its deepest condolences to the patient’s family and friends as they mourn the loss of their loved one. Due to patient confidentiality and respect for the family, this will be the final update about the patient.”
While rare, bird flu can easily spread among birds, poultry, other animals and humans.
And it’s not just farmers who should be worried, according to Public Health Madison & Dane County, as anyone who comes into direct or close contact with the infected animals, surfaces, and even milk are at risk.
Symptoms of bird flu can include eye redness or irritation, fever, cough, muscle ache, and respiratory problems like difficulty breathing or, in severe cases, complications like pneumonia or organ failure.
However, the health body says there have been no cases of bird flu spreading from person to person in the US.
Still, among the advice to protect yourself is to get your seasonal flu shot, avoid contact with wild birds and sick or dead animals, and do not consume raw milk or raw milk products.
The LDH added: “If you have been exposed to sick or dead birds or other animals or work on a farm where avian influenza has been detected, watch for respiratory symptoms or conjunctivitis.
“If you develop symptoms within 10 days after exposure to sick or dead animals, tell your healthcare provider that you have been in contact with sick animals and are concerned about avian influenza.
“This will help them give you appropriate advice on testing and treatment. Stay home and away from others while you have symptoms.”
