Breaking: First fatal bird flu case recorded in U.S.

The patient, in Louisiana, had underlying medical conditions.

Log In    Subscribe BREAKING NEWS   U.S. records first fatal bird flu case amid growing concerns about virus By Helen Branswell NIAID On Monday, the U.S. recorded its first fatal case of H5N1 bird flu, in a person from Louisiana who contracted the virus from infected chickens and wild birds in a backyard flock.   The unidentified person was described as being over the age of 65 and reportedly had underlying medical conditions. While the H5N1 virus has claimed over 450 lives globally since 2003, this is the first death from the virus in North America.  READ MORE Sign up for Morning Rounds Understand how science, health policy, and medicine shape the world every day. Get the newsletter in your inbox. In Case You Missed It 1   CDC says H5N1 bird flu sample shows mutations that may help the virus bind to cells in the upper airways of people By Helen Branswell 2   Three issues to watch in global health in 2025 By Helen Branswell 3   Rapid spread of H5N1 bird flu through California dairy herds suggests unknown paths of transmission By Megan Molteni 4   What Covid tried to teach us — and why it will matter in the next pandemic By Helen Branswell Don't miss out on another STAT Investigation Unlock the world of health and medicine with a subscription to STAT+ Learn more STAT, 1 Exchange Place, Boston, MA ©2025, All Rights Reserved. I no longer wish to receive STAT emails Update Newsletter Preferences • Contact Us • Advertise with Us