The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Thursday that its analysis of samples from the first severe case of bird flu in the United States revealed mutations not found in samples from an infected backyard flock on the patient’s property.
Key Details:
Patient Overview:
The case involves a Louisiana resident over the age of 65, who is experiencing severe respiratory illness.
The patient was infected with the D1.1 genotype of the bird flu virus, which has recently been detected in wild birds and poultry across the U.S.
Mutations Identified:
The CDC noted mutations in the hemagglutinin (HA) gene, crucial for the virus’s ability to attach to host cells.
These mutations are rare but have been reported in severe cases in other countries. One mutation was also observed in a severe case from British Columbia, Canada.
Risk Assessment:
The CDC emphasized that the risk to the general public from this outbreak remains low and has not changed.
Transmission Status:
No instances of transmission from the Louisiana patient to others have been identified, according to the CDC.