Health Watch: First U.S. death from H5N1 bird flu sparks health precautions

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The Louisiana Department of Health has reported the first U.S. death from a severe case of H5N1 bird flu. The patient, over 65 years old with underlying health conditions, contracted the virus after exposure to backyard flocks and wild birds.

While the current public health risk remains low, experts are closely monitoring the virus for potential mutations that could allow human-to-human transmission.

Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, emphasized, “There’s still no evidence of person-to-person transmission.”

Health officials urge caution, particularly for those who handle dead or sick animals. Flu-like symptoms such as headache, sore throat, cough, or shortness of breath should be reported to a healthcare provider, especially after potential exposure.

If dead wild birds are found, contact local wildlife or health authorities to have the animal tested.

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