The CDC has confirmed the first case of severe bird flu in the U.S., involving a patient hospitalized in Louisiana. The individual, over 65 and with underlying health conditions, is in critical condition due to severe respiratory illness linked to the H5N1 virus. This case marks a significant development, as it is the first human infection associated with exposure to backyard flocks. The patient had contact with sick and dead birds, and genomic analysis indicates the virus is spreading among wild birds and poultry in the U.S. While 61 human cases of bird flu have been reported since April, most were mild and linked to infected livestock. The CDC emphasizes that the general public's risk remains low, but those working with birds should take precautions. California has declared a state of emergency following bird flu detections in raw milk.
