Health authorities in the state of Louisiana have confirmed a case of H5N1 infection requiring hospitalization.  The patient is resident in southwestern Louisiana and had contact with unspecified types of birds that were apparently sick and dying. If they were game fowl given the location, dissemination of H5N1 virus among flocks of fighting cocks may result in additional cases.  Currently the patient is hospitalized with severe symptoms presumably affecting the respiratory tract. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have characterized the virus as an avian-origin strain conforming to the D1.1genotype that is distinct from the B3.13 genotype affecting dairy herds.

As with all human cases that have been diagnosed, health authorities will implement surveillance on family, residential and workplace contacts to confirm the absence of contagion. This was the case with all 61 previous confirmed cases in eight states with all but one acquired through depopulation of affected flocks or direct contact with infected dairy cattle.

At this time there should be no concern among the general population. Appropriate protective equipment should be worn by workers on affected poultry and dairy farms. Consumption of raw milk is currently a risk factor for contracting H5N1 strain influenza.