Louisiana Confirms First Human Bird Flu Case, Patient Hospitalized

A person in Louisiana has been hospitalized with a presumptive positive case of H5N1 bird flu after contact with sick birds, marking the first human case in the state. While the risk to the public is considered low, health officials advise avoiding sick or dead birds. This case is notable as most human infections in the US have been mild and among poultry or dairy workers. The virus has been spreading among birds and mammals in the US since 2022, with significant outbreaks in dairy herds.