A 65-year-old man has become the first person to die from the H5N1 bird flu in the country. The Louisiana Department of Health announced that the patient contracted H5N1 "after exposure to a combination of a non-commercial backyard flock and wild birds," the department said.

Officials confirmed that the victim had underlying health issues. According to TODAY, the death is raising concern whether we will face another pandemic caused by the bird flu or potentially a lockdown. To date, H5N1 has infected dozens of people in the U.S. and Canada. California declared a state of emergency over the spread of the virus in its dairy cows.

Most human cases of bird flu, caused by avian influenza have been mild so far, and most were in people who had known exposure to sick or infected animals.

The severity of illness associated with bird flu has ranged from mild to severe, including death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Infection (CDC).

Experts warn that the longer the virus circulates unchecked, the higher the chance it will acquire mutations needed to cause a pandemic. Right now, the CDC assures the public that there hasn’t been any human-to-human transmission so the current health risk is low.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, avian influenza is usually spread in birds and other animals, but humans can become infected from animals. The symptoms include:

• Pink eye or conjunctivitis.

• Fatigue.

• Cough, sore throat or runny nose.

• Nausea, diarrhea or vomiting.

• Muscle aches.

• Shortness of breath.

You can become infected with bird flu by coming in contact with the body of an infected animal or its body fluids, such as saliva, respiratory droplets or feces. You can even breathe in the particles in places where animals live or get it into your eyes, nose or mouth after touching body fluids.

The two groups of people most at risk for catching bird flu are farm workers who work with cows or poultry and people who keep backyard flocks of chicken, said Michael Osterholm, the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota.

Osterholm explained to CNN that the virus can be shed by chickens into the air so direct contact isn’t needed to catch the disease. The virus can also live on the udders of milking cows, and it’s found in raw and unpasteurized milk.

The best way to protect yourself is to avoid sources of exposure. The virus that causes bird flu can’t be destroyed with refrigeration but can be killed though pasteurization, so stick to pasteurized products. People who work in potentially infectious environments, such as on a farm or rescue setting, should wear personal protective equipment, or PPE, notes the CDC. That includes:

• Goggles.

• Disposable gloves.

• Face masks such as N95s.

• Coveralls.

• Rubber boots.

Avoid working with animals who are ill or who have been exposed to avian influenza, says the Cleveland Clinic.  Make sure to remove your shoes if you’ve been walking in an area where birds or chickens live. Above all, don’t drink or touch unpasteurized milk.  

EATING EGGS AND CHICKEN

The supply of eggs on supermarket shelves is now scarce due the widespread outbreak of avian influenza and a substantial reduction in egg production across the United States.

However, according to Axios, if you do find them and can pay the price, eggs are most likely safe to eat. “The likelihood that eggs from infected poultry are found in the retail market is low and proper storage and preparation further reduce the risk,” said a spokesperson for the Food and Drug Administration. Buy eggs that have been refrigerated, check for cracks and refrigerate them at home at a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit of lower. Cook the eggs until the whites and yolk are firm. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling eggs.

The CDC argues that there is no evidence that food will transmit H5N1 — as long as it’s cooked and handled properly.

Cooking poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165˚F kills bacteria and viruses, including avian influenza A viruses, according to the CDC.

If you do think you’ve been infected, see a healthcare provider who can diagnose avian flu with a throat or nose swab. If you test positive, the doctor may prescribe anti-viral medication.