A person in Louisiana has contracted a severe case of bird flu, marking the first instance of the virus spreading from a backyard flock to a human, according to the CDC. This case is more severe than the 60 other cases reported, with the individual hospitalized in critical condition. The CDC notes that the strain affecting cows is different from the one affecting humans. Nine states have reported human cases of bird flu this year, prompting California to declare a state of emergency to allocate more resources for prevention. Experts advise vigilance and flu vaccinations to prevent potential gene exchange between bird flu and human flu, which could lead to more virulent strains. Despite the severity of this case, the overall threat to humans remains low, with no evidence of person-to-person transmission. Precautions include avoiding sick or dead animals, especially for those with backyard flocks or those who hunt birds.