This colorized electron microscope image released by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases on March 26, 2024, shows avian influenza A H5N1 virus particles (yellow), grown in Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) epithelial cells (blue). (CDC/NIAID via AP)

The nation has recorded its first fatality from the H5N1 bird flu, and while health officials say risk to the public remains low, there are still a few things to know.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Monday that a patient in Louisiana who had been hospitalized with a severe bird flu case died. This, as well as the other 66 human cases in the U.S. since 2024, have all been linked to exposure to animals with the virus. No person-to-person transmission has been detected, according to the CDC statement.

Hannah Busman, director of public health for Franklin County, said bird flu has been a concern for a while, but that the situation has been heightened by more recent outbreaks among cattle herds.

At the moment, 16 states have reported outbreaks in dairy cows, although only California and Texas have reported outbreaks in the last 30 days. California has reported the highest number of infections, with 703 cows affected, according to the most recent CDC data available, which was updated Friday.

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What you need to know

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Bird flu is monitored through a collaborative effort of national, state, and local agencies and groups. For the most part, public health departments are only directly involved when humans are diagnosed with the disease. For information about the flu among livestock, the county relies on the state Department of Agriculture and Markets. There haven’t been any cases in livestock in New York, but if there were, county health departments would be kept informed about any humans who may have been exposed.

Busman wanted to emphasize, first and foremost, that the risk is low.

“We are watching it,” Busman said, “but I’m not worried about it at this moment.”

However, Busman said that there are a few things for the public to be aware of. People who keep poultry in their backyard should keep an eye out for signs of disease. Symptoms of flu in birds can include low energy or appetite, purple discoloration around the face or legs, reduced egg production or misshapen eggs, as well as symptoms similar to human patients — coughing, sneezing and nasal discharge, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

People who notice sick birds, or who have a bird die suddenly or unexpectedly, should contact their vet and/or local health department, Busman said.

It is also important that people get their seasonal flu vaccine, Busman said. Although the vaccine does not work against H5N1, there is a concern that if people contract the seasonal flu and H5N1 at the same time, the virus could mutate to be able to spread more easily among people.

Jessica Darney Buehler, director of health planning and promotion with Essex County, added that the public should be aware of who is at highest risk. Right now, the people with the highest risk of contracting bird flu ar those who are in direct contact with sick wild birds, poultry flocks or dairy cattle. The best protection for these people is to wear personal protective equipment, Buehler said in an email.

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Keeping an eye out

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Last week, the Biden administration announced $306 million in funds that would be dispersed through the Department of Health and Human Services to aid in preparedness for possible H5N1 outbreaks. This includes funding for local, state and national monitoring of high-risk populations such as livestock workers, according to a statement from HHS on Friday.

Although the current chances of another pandemic are low, Busman said public health departments learned important lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic. The most important lesson was the need for collaboration and communication across the community.

“That would be something we’d have to do again to share the information and to try to get ahead of misinformation,” Busman said. “I think it’s the biggest lesson (learned from the pandemic), and a really hard challenge.”

More information about H5N1 is available from the state at tinyurl.com/3rckcm3e. Guidance for farm workers is available at tinyurl.com/yn6s8emu.