LDH detects first presumptive positive human H5N1 case in Louisiana

ldh.la.gov

9 points·giardini··7 comments

> The investigation identified that the individual had exposure to sick and dead birds that are suspected to have been infected with H5N1.

It all comes down to this. All the scary H5N1 mortality numbers have been from people in close contact with poultry, especially ones in the developing country where they live very close to the birds.

Everyone is just waiting for the first evidence of community transmission then we can panic buy toilet paper like its 2020. (if that "disease X" doesn't make it first).

Based on what I've been reading, current speculations trends toward thinking the mystery Congo ailment is malaria plus malnutrition plus possible some regular seasonal respiratory viruses.

The 1917/18 H1N1 pandemic started out pretty benign, then got much worse, before becoming relatively benign again.

Time to stock up on masks, disinfectant, and toilet paper before there are enough cases for the mass panic to set in.

LDH (Louisiana Department of Health) announces the findings and gives brief and reasonable warnings.

SW La does not have the major cities, so there is some time.

> LDH detects first presumptive positive human H5N1 case in Louisiana

Now we need vaccines. Quick. And a bit of lobby. (vdL) /s

A regular seasonal flu vaccine is likely better than nothing, likely thanks to similarity in the neuramidase protein (the N1 of both H1N1 in the seasonal vaccine and in the H5N1 bird flu). These aren't the same N1, from what I gather, but are mostly similar enough.

Citations: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3592172/ and https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2600140/ (from https://www.the-sentinel-intelligence.net/would-a-seasonal-f... which is paywalled)

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