CDC Confirms First Severe Case of H5N1 Bird Flu in the United States
www.cdc.gov
December 18, 2024-- A patient has been hospitalized with a severe case of avian influenza A(H5N1)

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/23282836

Summary

The CDC confirmed the first severe U.S. case of H5N1 bird flu in Louisiana, linked to exposure to sick and dead birds in a backyard flock.

This marks the first backyard flock-related case in the U.S., though 61 human cases of H5 bird flu have been reported since April 2024.

The virus belongs to the D1.1 genotype, found in wild birds and recent cases in Canada and the U.S.

There is no evidence of person-to-person spread, and public health risk remains low. The CDC advises precautions for those exposed to infected animals.

  • Supervisor194@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    3 days ago

    I would be worried, but we’ve got a lot of really competent people coming to run the government, so it’s all good!

  • m_f@midwest.socialMEnglish
    0·
    3 days ago

    Kind of zen tbh. Not because it’s not bad, but more because there’s nothing I can do about it atm, and it’s hard to accurately evaluate the risks involved. If cases start getting reported near me, I’ll probably start wearing a mask in public spaces.

    I know someone that isn’t worried about future pandemics because of the success of mRNA vaccines with covid, but that seems too optimistic to me.

    • mean_bean279@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      3 days ago

      The first working Covid vaccine was developed around the same time most countries officially started locking down if I recall. mRNA vaccines definitely proved how fast we can accomplish this. I know the US at least was also heavily investing into vaccines for bird flu already since they deemed that to be the next threat.

      Either way, I’m with you on the zen thing. It’s hard to worry, but given how fast our tech works now I’m not super freaked about it. Honestly I’m more worried about the government not letting me take the vaccine.