The Louisiana patient died after being hospitalized with a severe case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) bird flu, the Louisiana Department of Health announced on Monday. The patient contracted the virus after coming into contact with non-commercial backyard flocks and wild birds, officials said. It was the first human case of bird flu linked this type of exposure and the first instance of severe illness from H5N1 in the U.S. Take note fellow citizens.