A patient in Louisiana has been hospitalized with a severe infection of avian influenza, marking the first serious human case in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
This case raises the total number of avian influenza infections in the U.S. during the 2024 outbreak to 61. The CDC confirmed that the individual contracted the virus after exposure to sick and dead birds in backyard flocks. Details about the patient’s condition and prognosis have not been disclosed. The infection, confirmed last Friday, involved the H5N1 virus of the D1.1 genotype.
The D1.1 genotype has been found in wild birds and poultry across the U.S. and in human cases in Washington state and British Columbia, Canada. It contrasts with the B3.13 genotype, linked to dairy cows, certain poultry outbreaks, and milder human cases presenting symptoms such as conjunctivitis.
While most U.S. infections have been traced to animal exposure, health officials stress there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission at this stage. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to assess any potential public health risks.
