The US has recorded its first death from severe bird flu H5N1.

In Louisiana, the first death of a person from severe bird flu H5N1 has been registered. This person was 65 years old and had underlying health conditions, having also come into contact with domestic and wild birds. No other cases of illness have been recorded.

Genetic analysis of the H5N1 virus showed changes that may increase its ability to infect human upper respiratory tracts and spread from person to person. The risk of being infected with bird flu remains low for the general population, but poultry workers and employees of poultry farms face a greater risk.

Bird flu had previously been detected in the states of South Carolina and California in wild birds. The infection was also found among cattle in Texas and Kansas. In the case of humans, 61 infection cases have been confirmed in seven states, of which 34 were in California. In December, another 13 flu cases were detected in other states.

Due to the spread of bird flu in the European Union, concerns have arisen regarding its spread to humans. Necessary measures are already being taken in California to tackle this infection.