Health officials in Louisiana have confirmed the first death in the United States due to the highly contagious avian influenza H5N1.

The unfortunate patient was a man over 65, who had some preexisting health issues.

After being hospitalized with the virus, he sadly passed away. Authorities reported that the man caught the virus through exposure to a mix of non-commercial backyard birds and wild birds.

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) conducted a thorough investigation, finding no additional cases or evidence of person-to-person spread.

Currently, this is the only human case of the H5N1 virus in Louisiana and the entire country.

The LDH reassured the public that the overall risk to the general population is currently low. However, individuals who work closely with birds, poultry, or livestock may face a higher risk.

In their heartfelt message, the department expressed deep sympathy and sent condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. They also mentioned that no new details are available at this time due to patient confidentiality, but updates will be provided when possible.