Farms.com Home   Ag Industry News

U.S. records first H5N1 fatality

Jan 07, 2025
By Farms.com

Avian Flu spreads to poultry and mammals

The U.S. has reported its first fatal H5N1 avian flu infection, involving a Louisiana resident over 65 with underlying health conditions. Officials confirmed the patient likely contracted the virus through contact with backyard poultry and wild birds. No other related cases have been found.

The H5N1 flu has been linked to 66 human infections in the U.S. since 2024. Most cases are mild, but a new genotype from wild birds has resulted in severe cases, including one in Louisiana and another in Canada involving a recovering teenager.

Alongside human cases, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed H5N1 outbreaks in poultry across five states.

Delaware reported its first outbreak since 2022, with 125,000 birds affected. Additional outbreaks have been noted in California, Michigan, and backyard flocks in Arkansas and Idaho.

Animal cases are increasing, particularly in domestic and wild cats. Reports include infected cats in California, Oregon, and Minnesota, along with wild species like bobcats and mountain lions in Colorado and Nevada. 

“This virus’s widespread impact on animals requires urgent attention to contain its spread and safeguard public health,” experts warn.

The rising spread of H5N1 across species underscores the need for continuous surveillance, safety measures, and public awareness.


Trending Video

How BinSentry Is Revolutionizing Feed Management | WPX 2025 with Darren Howie

Video: How BinSentry Is Revolutionizing Feed Management | WPX 2025 with Darren Howie

At the 2025 World Pork Expo, Rachel Fishback interviews Darren Howie from BinSentry to uncover the latest in feed management innovation. Discover how BinSentry is replacing manual bin checks with real-time monitoring, why slide-related inefficiencies cause significantly more feed outages than empty bins, and how their Critical Event Management text alert system keeps producers proactive and ahead of issues. Essential insights for improving feed efficiency and minimizing disruptions.