Today's Edition
WASHINGTON (dpa)
The United States recorded the first death after a human being died due to infection with the H5N1 bird flu virus, health officials said on Tuesday.
The resident of the state of Louisiana was over 65 years old and also had other health problems, according to the state's health department.
The case follows several recorded deaths from H5N1 worldwide. However, the authority added that there were no indications of further cases in Louisiana or transmission of the pathogen between people.
The patient had been in contact with birds in his garden as well as with wild birds. No further information was provided.
The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in mid-December that the person was the first in the US to become seriously ill after being infected with H5N1 avian influenza.
The virus is widespread in wild birds worldwide and numerous wild mammals have also been infected. It also recently led to outbreaks on poultry farms and dairy farms in the US.
