The World Health Organization (WHO) has sought to reassure the public about the risk of bird flu following the death of a patient in Louisiana, marking the first fatality from H5N1 in the United States. The patient, aged over 65 with underlying health conditions, contracted the virus in December after exposure to backyard chickens and wild birds, according to Louisiana health officials.
Speaking at a press briefing in Geneva on Tuesday, WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris said, “We are concerned, of course, but we look at the risk to the general population, and it still remains low.”
Harris also acknowledged the extensive surveillance efforts in the U.S. “They are doing a lot of monitoring. That’s why we’re hearing about it,” she added when asked about the adequacy of tracking measures in the country.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 70 individuals, primarily farmworkers, have been infected with H5N1 bird flu since April. The virus has been circulating among poultry flocks and, in some instances, dairy herds. Like the WHO, U.S. federal and state officials maintain that the risk to the general public remains low.
Experts have been closely monitoring H5N1 for signs of mutation or increased transmissibility in humans. While the virus primarily affects birds, rare cases of human infection typically occur through direct exposure to infected animals.
The CDC continues to encourage poultry workers and others in high-risk environments to exercise caution and follow biosecurity measures to prevent further infections. Public health officials are also urging individuals to report unusual bird die-offs and maintain vigilance during outbreaks.
Despite the isolated U.S. case, the WHO and CDC stress that the general public remains at minimal risk, with ongoing surveillance efforts designed to detect and address potential threats promptly.
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