For influenza viruses, imperfection is a strength. They constantly mutate, producing new strains that challenge immune systems primed to fight earlier varieties. That’s what makes flu a life-long threat to humans and the animal species — mainly birds — that are vulnerable to it.

The bird flu, also known as avian influenza and H5N1, was implicated in the first human death from the infectious disease on January 6. But still, no human-to-human transmission has been reported.

The LDH announced Monday that a man over the age of 65 died from Bird Flu, making this the first case of death in the US. LSU Health experts weigh in on how this can raise a little concern over the spread of the virus.

The United States has reported its first human death from H5N1 bird flu, marking a somber moment in the ongoing outbreak of the virus. The Louisiana Department of Health announced in a statement on Monday that a patient over the age of 65,

The threat of avian flu has dominated public health discourse as cases become increasingly more widespread and severe. H5N1, a highly pathogenic strain, was present in several continents as early as 1996.