In the USA, for the first time, a man has died from bird flu after coming into contact with infected birds in his backyard. The 65-year-old man from Louisiana was hospitalized with severe respiratory symptoms, state health officials said.

The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that this was the first death in the United States from avian influenza infection. Officials said the man had underlying health problems and had been in contact with infected birds in the backyard of his home and wild birds.

They also said that genetic analysis showed that the H5N1 bird flu virus had mutated in the patient's body, which could have led to a more severe illness.

As of March 2024, a total of 66 confirmed cases of avian influenza have been reported in the United States, mostly among agricultural workers. Louisiana health officials said in a statement that „while the risk to public health remains low at this time, people who work with or are exposed to birds, poultry, or cows in their leisure time are at greater risk“.

From November 2024, the EU will have to adopt a new regulation on the use of poultrymeat. The UK has also seen a number of cases of avian influenza, mainly in Norfolk and East Yorkshire, where a compulsory housing order is in force for poultry keepers and poultry keepers.

However, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that at this stage there was „no evidence of human-to-human transmission“.

Dr Meera Chand of the UKHSA said: „It is important that we are prepared for a wide range of influenza viruses that can pose a risk to human health”.

„Early access to vaccines saves lives. Adding H5 vaccines to the interventions we already have in place will help us prepare for a wider range of threats," she told British media.