The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is warning Northeast Louisiana residents about a rise in avian influenza, also known as bird flu. Bird flu is a highly contagious virus that spreads among wild birds,

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - New CDC data shows Louisiana is among the top states experiencing a rise in flu cases this season. Dr. Charles Sasser said he is seeing more flu cases than usual around the holidays this year.

Louisiana wildlife officials are reporting a spike in bird deaths caused by H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza. Most cases are appearing in southwest Louisiana. Fall migrations

The CDC estimates that there have been at least 4.6 million illnesses, 49,000 hospitalizations, and 1,900 deaths from flu this season so far.

Flu season is ramping up across the country, with several states now experiencing severe or rising levels of illness, and a fast-spreading “super flu” variant is driving the surge. The CDC’s latest FluView report for the week ending Saturday,

Symptoms for influenza A and its subclade K variant are similar, and both are typically more serious than influenza B. They include fever, cough, sore throat, congestion, body aches, headaches, fatigue and occasionally vomiting or diarrhea, according to the CDC.

Flu seems to be sweeping the CSRA, with local residents calling in sick left and right as they report severe symptoms, even though they’ve gotten a flu shot.

People can continue to be vaccinated as long as the flu is circulating in the community — even into the late spring.

There are a range of issues facing Louisiana residents as 2025 draws to a close, from skyrocketing insurance costs, stronger storms, uncertainty over healthcare and limited resources for working families and people experiencing poverty.