The first U.S. bird flu death has been confirmed in Louisiana.

The patient, over 65 with underlying conditions, contracted the H5N1 virus through contact with backyard flocks and wild birds.

The CDC called the death “not unexpected” and reaffirmed that the risk to the general public remains low, with no person-to-person transmission identified.

Since April, the U.S. has reported 66 bird flu cases, mostly mild.

The CDC advises avoiding contact with sick birds and using protective equipment if exposure is unavoidable.

Louisiana has confirmed the first U.S. death linked to the H5N1 bird flu virus, marking a somber milestone in the ongoing outbreak.

The victim, a person over 65 years old with underlying health conditions,

is believed to have contracted the virus through direct contact with backyard flocks and wild birds.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have described the death as “not unexpected” in light of the continued spread of the virus in wild and domesticated birds.

However, they emphasized that the risk to the general public remains low, as no instances of person-to-person transmission have been detected.

Since April, the U.S. has reported 66 cases of bird flu, with most of those cases being mild.

The CDC continues to urge caution, recommending individuals avoid contact with sick birds and use appropriate protective gear if exposure is unavoidable.

Public health officials continue to monitor the situation,

reassuring the public that the virus poses minimal risk to humans at this time, though the discovery of the first fatality has raised new concerns regarding the potential for further spread.