The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed the first severe case of bird flu in the United States. Genomic analysis indicates infection with a virus strain recently spreading among wild birds and poultry in the U.S., as well as in human cases in Canada and Washington state. This marks the first human bird flu case in the U.S. linked to exposure to backyard flocks.
The patient, a Louisiana resident over 65 years old with underlying medical conditions, is hospitalized in critical condition.
Additionally, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services has reported a presumptive positive human case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Barron County. This individual had direct exposure to an infected commercial poultry flock in the area. The case was detected through testing at the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene and is pending CDC confirmation. DHS is monitoring other farm workers who may have been exposed and providing health protection guidance. Despite these developments, officials emphasize that the risk to the general public in Wisconsin remains low.
As of December 2024, the CDC has documented 61 human cases of bird flu in the U.S., nearly all involving direct contact with infected livestock. Until the Louisiana case, infections had been mild, with patients recovering after antiviral treatment. Symptoms typically include sore throat, cough, fever, and fatigue, though severe cases can lead to pneumonia requiring hospitalization.
The CDC stresses that the best prevention is avoiding exposure to infected animals. Infected birds shed the virus in their saliva, mucus, and feces. While no person-to-person transmission has been identified, those working with birds, poultry, or livestock are advised to follow recommended precautions. Properly cooked poultry, eggs, and pasteurized dairy products remain safe for consumption.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has also implemented nationwide raw milk testing for bird flu after detecting the virus in California. California, which has reported 33 human bird flu cases this year, recently declared a state of emergency to bolster its response to the outbreak.
