Bird flu is increasingly sparking concern across the country and in Illinois, following news this week of the first human death from the virus in the U.S., and of birds found throughout Illinois with suspected cases of the illness.

On Monday, Louisiana health officials announced that a person hospitalized last month with a severe case of avian influenza — also known as H5N1 bird flu — died. This is the first human death from bird flu in the U.S.

Bird flu has claimed its first human in the United States, but health officials say the risk remains low and there are precautions to stay safe. They also say they’re vigilantly monitoring for signs that the risk is growing.