The risk to the general population from H5N1 bird flu remains low, a World Health Organization spokesperson said on Tuesday, following the first death of a patient from the virus in the United States.

An individual who was infected with the first severe case of bird flu in the U.S. has died, Louisiana health officials said on Monday. The name of the patient was not released; however, the individual was said to be over the age of 65 and had underlying medical conditions.