The death of the first patient in the United States with a confirmed case of bird flu has been reported in Louisiana. Advice from the CDC and an infectious disease specialist.
In contact with animals
Via a press release, the Louisiana Department of Health reported the death of the first patient in the United States with a confirmed case of avian flu. The person was over 65 years old and had underlying pathologies. It remains the only known human case in the state.
The patient contracted highly pathogenic avian influenza, also known as H5N1, after exposure to wild birds and farm animals in a non-commercial setting, according to the release. The Louisiana Department of Health has found no other cases of H5H1 in the state and no evidence of person-to-person transmission.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) carried out genetic sequencing of virus samples taken from the Louisiana patient. They compared the sequences with those from dairy cows, wild birds and poultry infected with the H5N1 virus in various regions of the United States.
The Louisiana patient was infected with the D1.1 genotype of the H5N1 virus. Although the D1.1 genotype is related to other D1.1 viruses found in recent human cases in Washington State and British Columbia (Canada), it is different from the widely distributed B3.13 genotype, which has caused outbreaks of H5N1 in dairy cows, poultry and other animals and has been associated with sporadic human cases in the United States, according to the CDC.
The risk to the general public remains low
Despite evidence of some changes in the virus between the Louisiana patient and samples taken from poultry on the patient’s property, “these changes would be of greater concern if found in host animals or at early stages of the virus.” ‘infection,’ according to the CDC. The CDC and Louisiana Department of Health are currently conducting additional sequencing to facilitate further analysis.
In the meantime, the risk to the general public from the H5N1 virus remains low, but people who work with birds, poultry or cows or are exposed to these animals in their leisure time are at increased risk.
The CDC and Louisiana Department of Health advise reducing the risk of exposure to the H5N1 virus by avoiding direct contact with wild birds or other animals infected or likely to be infected with the virus, avoiding contact with dead animals and keeping pets away from sick or dead animals and their excrement. Other safety measures include avoiding uncooked food products, such as raw unpasteurized milk or cheese from animals with suspected or confirmed infection, and reporting sick or dead birds or animals to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
What symptoms should alert you?
The CDC advises doctors to consider the presence of H5N1 virus in patients with conjunctivitis or signs of acute respiratory illness and a history of high-risk exposure, including handling sick or dead animals, especially birds. and livestock, in the ten days preceding the appearance of symptoms. Other risk factors include eating uncooked or undercooked foods, direct contact with areas contaminated with feces, direct contact with unpasteurized milk or other dairy products, or with animal parts potentially infected, and prolonged exposure to infected animals in a confined space.
Clinical symptoms may also include gastrointestinal disturbances such as diarrhea, as well as fatigue, arthralgias and headaches. Patients with a more severe form of the H5N1 virus may experience shortness of breath, altered mental status and seizures, and serious complications from the virus include pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, multiple organ failure and sepsis, according to the CDC.
A clinician’s perspective
“Some symptoms of bird flu are fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, fatigue, aches or redness or irritation of the eyes,” said the Dre Shirin A. Mazumderassociate professor and specialist in infectious diseases (University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis), in an interview with Medscape Medical News. “The time for symptoms to appear after exposure is generally 10 days. Avian flu should be considered when people develop symptoms and have a relevant exposure history,” she said.
Where possible, it is ideal to avoid sick or dead birds and other animals, but for those who must be in contact with sick or dead birds, poultry or other animals, it is recommended to wear Personal protective equipment (PPE) including a respiratory mask, goggles and disposable gloves, Ms. Mazumder emphasized.
“For those working in high exposure environments, additional PPE is recommended, including boots or boot covers, hair coverings and liquid-resistant coveralls. “Other protective measures include avoiding touching surfaces or materials contaminated with feces, mucus and saliva from infected animals and avoiding consuming raw milk, raw milk products and undercooked meat from infected animals,” she added.
Hunters handling wild game should pluck birds on site, practice good hand hygiene and use respiratory protection or a well-fitted mask and gloves when handling animals to help prevent disease. said Ms. Mazumder to Medscape Medical News.
Consult a healthcare professional if in doubt
Additionally, people working with confirmed or suspected cases of H5N1 should monitor themselves for symptoms, Dr. Mazumder said. “People who become ill within ten days of exposure to an infected animal or source should isolate themselves from members of their household and avoid going to work or school until the infection is excluded. It is important to consult a healthcare professional if you think you have been exposed or if you think you are infected,” she added.
There is currently no vaccine against H5N1 virus infection, but oseltamivir can be used for chemoprophylaxis and treatment, Dr. Mazumder said. “The seasonal flu vaccine does not protect against avian flu; however, it is important to ensure one is up to date with the latest flu vaccine to prevent the possibility of co-infection with seasonal flu and avian flu,” she stressed. .
More research is needed to better understand how the influenza virus is transmitted, Dr. Mazumder said. “The potential for the virus to evolve and mutate and how it affects different hosts are all factors that can influence public health decisions,” she added. “In addition, the search for a vaccine and improved monitoring methods are necessary for the prevention of the disease.”
Dr. Mazumder had no financial conflicts of interest to disclose.
This article was translated from Medscape.com using several editorial tools, including AI, in the process. The content was reviewed by the editorial staff before publication.
