The first person has died of bird flu in the United States, the Louisiana Department of Health confirmed on Monday. The patient, who was exposed to non-commercial backyard flock and wild birds, was over age 65 and had underlying medical conditions, officials said.

The first severe human death from bird flu (H5N1) in the U.S. was confirmed in Louisiana, involving a patient with underlying conditions. The patient contracted the virus after exposure to non-commercial backyard birds and wild birds.