Bird Flu Genetic Changes Detected in Severe U.S. Case: Public Risk Low

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the first severe case of bird flu found in the nation. According to the news samples are showing rare mutations in the virus which were not present in the infected birds on the patient’s property.

The mutations were found in the virus’s hemagglutinin (HA) gene, which helps the virus attach to human cells. Despite this discovery, the CDC stated that the risk to the general public remains low.

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The severe case involved a Louisiana resident over 65 years old who was experiencing serious respiratory illness. The patient was infected with the D1.1 genotype of the virus, which has recently been found in wild birds and poultry in the U.S. This is different from the B3.13 genotype, which has been detected in dairy cows, human cases, and poultry in several states.

The CDC noted that while the mutations in this case are uncommon, they have been seen in some severe cases in other countries, including one in British Columbia, Canada.

There is no evidence that the patient in Louisiana spread the virus to anyone else, the CDC confirmed.