The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed the first severe case of avian influenza A(H5N1) (“H5N1 bird flu”) in a backyard flock in the United States, sparking heightened concerns. The patient, located in Louisiana, came into contact with sick and dead birds, marking the first such case connected to backyard flocks. This revelation has prompted a state of emergency in several areas to combat the spread of the virus.

The First Severe Case of H5N1 Bird Flu in the United States

On December 13, 2024, the CDC confirmed the first severe H5N1 bird flu case in Louisiana. This case, tied to a backyard flock, underscores a significant shift in the virus’s transmission patterns in the U.S. The patient had direct exposure to sick birds, linking the virus to backyard poultry for the first time in the country. Continues…