US experiences first hen flu-related human dying in Louisiana, well being authorities problem assertion
Hen flu in US: America has recorded its first human fatality linked to hen flu, as confirmed by Louisiana’s Division of Well being. As per the data, the 65-year-old affected person had pre-existing well being situations and succumbed to the Extremely Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), or H5N1. It’s the first identified human case in each Louisiana and the US. In an official assertion, the Louisiana Division of Well being said the affected person, who had been hospitalised after contracting H5N1 from publicity to a mix of a non-commercial yard flock and wild birds, has handed away.
Well being officers have performed an intensive public well being investigation and haven’t recognized any further H5N1 instances or proof of human-to-human transmission. The division said that this stays an remoted case, with no additional infections reported in Louisiana or elsewhere within the nation. “The Division expresses its deepest condolences to the affected person’s household and mates as they mourn the lack of their beloved one. Because of affected person confidentiality and respect for the household, this would be the remaining replace concerning the affected person.”
Who’re at greater threat of hen flu?
In keeping with the assertion, the present public well being threat for most people stays low. Nevertheless, individuals who work with birds, poultry or cows, or have leisure publicity to them, are at greater threat. Louisiana’s Division of Well being famous that one of the best ways to guard your self and your loved ones from H5N1 is to keep away from sources of publicity. It additional stated, “Meaning avoiding direct contact with wild birds and different animals contaminated with or suspected to be contaminated with hen flu viruses.”
A complete of 66 human instances of hen flu have been reported within the US, in response to US Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC). Ten states within the US which have reported hen flu instances are – California, Colorado, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Oregon, Missouri, Washington, Wisconsin and Texas. The case reported in Louisiana was the primary case of H5N1 hen flu within the US that has been linked to publicity to a yard flock.
(With inputs from ANI)
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