Public health officials have just reported the first known “severe” case of bird flu in the United States. There are now 61 confirmed cases across eight states. This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that a person had been hospitalized with a “severe case” of bird flu.

The ongoing bird flu outbreak in the U.S. just got a bit more concerning: a person in Louisiana has been hospitalized with the first severe case of infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced in a statement issued on Wednesday.

The first severe case of H5N1 bird flu was confirmed in Louisiana. Here is a map of other states that have been affected.

A Louisiana patient is critically ill with severe respiratory symptoms from H5N1 bird flu, marking the 61st U.S. human case this year. California has declared a state of emergency. CBS News medical contributor Dr.

The CDC has declared the first “severe” case of H5N1 bird flu in the U.S., according to a press release published Wednesday. The good news? The person who contracted the virus appears to have gotten it from backyard poultry,

Utah’s bird flu outbreak is showing a downward trend, according to Utah’s top veterinarian. "I cleared my throat. 'So, I was wondering, why did you bring Maria to the hospital today?' Instantly all three sets of eyes filled with tears.

California became the first state to issue a declaration of emergency regarding the avian flu (H5N1). That same day, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the first severe case of the flu in a human on US soil and outbreaks in cow herds were detected in Southern California.

A person hospitalized with bird flu in Louisiana is the first "severe" human H5N1 case in the U.S., the CDC says. What to know about bird flu symptoms in humans.