5 Things to Know: First Bird Flu Death in U.S.

Risk to the public remains low

January 07, 2025

The CDC this week announced the first person hospitalized in the U.S. with a severe case of the H5N1 bird flu had passed away.

The public health agency continues to stress that no person-to-person transmission spread has been identified, and that people with exposure risk to infected birds should take proper precautions.

“CDC has carefully studied the available information about the person who died in Louisiana and continues to assess that the risk to the general public remains low,” the public health agency said in a statement.

Here are five things to know:

• By the numbers:   Through Monday, there were 66 confirmed human cases of H5N1 bird flu in the United States since 2024.  
  • Outside the United States, more than 950 cases have been reported to the World Health Organization, with about half resulting in death.
• Background:  The victim in Louisiana had exposure to sick and dead birds in a backyard flock.
  • “This case underscores that, in addition to affected commercial poultry and dairy operations, wild birds and backyard flocks also can be a source of exposure,” the CDC noted.
• Where it stands:  The CDC said there are no concerning virologic changes that would raise the risk to human health, but people with job-related or recreational exposure to infected birds should take additional steps to protect themselves.
• Public health response:  Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced $306 million in funding to support preparedness at the regional, state, and local levels.
• The bottom line:  “People with work or recreational exposures to infected animals are at higher risk of infection and should follow CDC's recommended precautions when around animals that are infected or potentially infected with H5N1 avian influenza virus,” the agency wrote.

Additional resources about preventing the spread of the virus are available online.