CDC verifies the first severe bird flu case in the US

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The United States has had its first case of severe avian flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The patient was admitted to a hospital in Louisiana on Wednesday, according to the federal health department. The patient has multiple underlying medical issues and is above 65, according to state health officials.

The patient is critically ill with a severe respiratory ailment brought on by a bird flu virus, according to a Louisiana Department of Health official.

A form of the virus that is presently circulating among wild birds and poultry in the United States, as well as in certain human cases in Canada and Washington state, was contracted by the Louisiana patient, according to the CDC.

A separate virus has been spread in the United States by dairy cows and certain fowl.

Even though the Louisiana patient was exposed to sick and dead birds in backyard flocks, the CDC is still looking into the cause of the illness. This is the first human bird flu case in the US that has been connected to exposure to a backyard flock.

Since April, there have been 61 human cases of bird flu in the US, according to the CDC.

Direct contact with diseased animals or livestock was a factor in nearly all verified cases. According to the CDC and state officials, all individuals had recovered after taking antiviral medicine, and infections had been mild before the Louisiana patient’s case was identified.

A prior case in Missouri was admitted to the hospital, but medical officials blamed the patient’s stay on other health problems rather than the bird flu illness.

A sore throat, cough, fever, runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscular or body aches, exhaustion, and shortness of breath are all indications of infection in humans, according to the CDC. Seizures, diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea are less frequent symptoms.

The CDC states that infections might result in minor sickness, such flu-like symptoms, or no symptoms at all, or they can cause more serious illness, like pneumonia, which may require hospitalization.

Steer clear of touch whenever you can to prevent avian flu. Avian influenza is shed by infected birds. The CDC issued a press release on Wednesday, stating that the virus is present in their saliva, mucous, and feces.

It is possible for other affected animals to spread avian influenza. The virus can be found in respiratory secretions and other bodily fluids, such as unpasteurized cow milk or raw milk .

The CDC reported no detection of person-to-person transmission, indicating a low risk to the general public. However, those who work with birds, poultry, or cows, or have recreational exposure to them, are at a higher risk and should take the health agency s recommended precautions.

The United States Department of Agriculture issued a new federal order last week mandating the collection and sharing of raw milk samples nationwide for bird flu testing.

The discovery of the bird flu virus in raw milk samples from a California farm earlier this week prompted a recall of all raw milk products. State health officials also ordered a quarantine for the farm.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Wednesday to streamline and expedite the state s response to bird flu. The CDC reports 33 confirmed cases of human bird flu in California this year.

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