Health officials confirmed the first severe human illness in the U.S. caused by bird flu on Wednesday, prompting California’s governor to declare a state of emergency as the virus spreads among dairy cattle in the state.
The patient, a Louisiana resident over 65 with pre-existing health conditions, is currently in critical condition due to severe respiratory symptoms from a bird flu infection. The person had been in contact with sick and dead birds in a backyard flock. This marks the first human case in the U.S. tied to exposure to backyard birds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Since March, over 60 bird flu infections have been reported in the U.S., but most have been mild. These cases have primarily involved farmworkers who had contact with infected poultry or dairy cows. In two cases—one involving an adult in Missouri and a child in California—officials have not yet determined how they were exposed to the virus.
CDC officials stated that bird flu continues to be primarily a concern for animal health, with the risk to the general public still considered low. Dr. Demetre Daskalakis from the CDC emphasized that there has been no evidence of the virus spreading from person to person.
The Louisiana case follows reports from Canadian officials about a teenager in British Columbia who was hospitalized with a severe bird flu infection. In both cases, the illnesses were linked to a strain of the virus found in wild birds, not cattle, according to officials.
During a call with reporters, CDC officials did not address whether there were any similarities or differences between the U.S. and Canadian cases.
Meanwhile, in California, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency after the virus was detected in dairy cows on farms in Southern California. The virus had already been found in the state’s Central Valley. Newsom stated that the proclamation is a focused effort to ensure government agencies have the necessary resources and flexibility to respond swiftly to the outbreak.
The bird flu virus has been found in 865 dairy herds across 16 states, with nearly 650 of these herds located in California. Last month, raw milk from infected cattle was recalled after the virus was detected in samples sold in California stores.
On Wednesday, Los Angeles County health officials reported the deaths of two cats from bird flu after they drank the recalled raw milk.
Flu experts noted that the future course of the virus in humans is uncertain, but they advised people who handle sick or dead birds to take precautions, such as wearing respiratory and eye protection and gloves. Angela Rasmussen, a virus expert at the University of Saskatchewan, warned that the U.S. may see more severe cases of the disease as the number of infections appears to be increasing.
