As concerns about outbreaks of bird flu and the nation’s response continue to grow, the U.S. reported its first death from the virus on Monday.
The individual was over the age of 65, Louisiana health officials said, and had underlying medical conditions. They had contracted the illness after exposure to wild birds and a non-commercial backyard flock. The case marked the nation’s first severe illness from the virus, which had likely mutated inside the patient. However, there has not yet been human-to-human transmission of H5N1.
