Louisiana Faces Possible Bird Flu Case, No Direct Human Spread

In a recent turn of events, a Louisiana resident is currently hospitalized, potentially marking the state's first case of bird flu. According to health officials, the individual had been in close contact with sick and possibly infected birds. The type of bird flu in question is H5N1, a virus known for its impact on poultry and, in some rare cases, humans. The health department in Louisiana is collaborating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to investigate and confirm the case. This development follows another U. S. hospitalization due to the same virus. Bird flu, or avian influenza, has been affecting dairy cows across the U. S. since spring. By Friday, the virus had spread to 845 dairy herds in 16 states, with California housing the majority of these cases. The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently ordered milk testing for bird flu to better trace and prevent further spread among herds. This year, over 60 human bird flu cases have been reported, mainly in California and Washington. Most of these cases involved farmworkers who had direct contact with infected poultry or dairy cows. Experts believe that the number of cases might be higher due to asymptomatic infections among farmworkers, as indicated by a November CDC report. However, there's no evidence of the virus spreading commonly from person to person. The primary symptom reported has been conjunctivitis, with no fatalities recorded so far. Pasteurized milk supplies in the U. S. have tested negative for the infectious bird flu virus, but the virus has been detected in raw, unpasteurized milk. To prevent illness, health officials advise avoiding direct contact with sick birds and following proper hygiene practices.