According to the Louisiana Department of Health, the patient was over 65 years old and had underlying health conditions. They were the only known person with the disease in the state.
The patient contracted the H5N1 illness through contact with “non-commercial backyard flock and wild birds.”
“While the current public health risk for the general public remains low, people who work with birds, poultry or cows, or have recreational exposure to them, are at higher risk,” the press release read.
The health department recommended avoiding contact with wild birds and other animals vulnerable to the disease.
Public health officials first became alarmed about the newest strain of bird flu in April, when it spread to dairy cows. Since then, at least 60 cases of bird
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