In the U.S., a person has died of bird flu for the first time

In the state of Louisiana, a man hospitalized with a severe form of avian influenza (H5N1) has died in the hospital. This was reported by The Hill newspaper on Monday, January 6.

This is the first recorded case of human death from the H5N1 virus. According to the publication, a 65-year-old man was infected after contact with a flock of wild birds in the backyard of his house. It was noted that the patient had comorbidities.

The Louisiana Department of Health did not specify what treatment was prescribed to the deceased, as this data is confidential. Representatives of the department expressed their condolences to the relatives of the deceased. It was specified that there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission of the virus, and the only danger remains contact directly with an infected animal.

At the moment, according to the newspaper, at least 66 cases of human infection with the H5N1 virus have been recorded in the United States. All but one case in Louisiana have been mild, with respiratory symptoms or conjunctivitis.

Earlier, on December 28, Rospotrebnadzor reported that the risk of spread in Russia of a new mutation of bird flu identified in the United States is minimal. According to the agency, in Louisiana in a patient with a severe course of bird flu mutation was found. The analysis showed that the virus in humans is different from the virus found in poultry, indicating that it has changed since infection.

On December 12, the head of Rospotrebnadzor, Anna Popova, said that the risk of bird flu passing to humans is an area of special attention in Russia and for the world expert community. She noted that test systems are being prepared for each new virus that creates pandemic potential. In addition, prototype vaccines have been developed in case of need.