The US records its first human bird flu death

The United States has recorded its first human death from bird flu, a grim milestone that comes as at least 66 cases have been recorded in the country.

The patient, who was over 65 and had underlying medical conditions, was admitted to Louisiana in December; the case was considered the country’s first serious human H5N1 infection.

The Louisiana Department of Health said the patient had been exposed to a combination of a backyard flock and wild birds.

“The department extends its deepest sympathies to the patient’s family and friends as they grieve the loss of their loved one,” it said in a statement. “Out of patient confidentiality and respect for the family, this will be the last update on the patient.”

All but one of the human bird flu infections confirmed in the United States so far were diagnosed within the past 10 months, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most cases have been relatively mild with symptoms including pinkeye, coughing or sneezing.

The majority of patients became ill after exposure to infected cattle or poultry. The Louisiana patient was the first case linked to exposure to a backyard flock.

Public health authorities have found no evidence that the virus has spread from person to person, which would mark a serious step in the evolution of bird flu. However, samples of the virus collected from the Louisiana patient showed evidence of mutations which could make it more transmissible to humans, according to the CDC.