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The virus in the first severe human bird flu case in the United States was found to have mutated, likely making it more transmissible to humans, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said. The patient, who was hospitalized earlier this month, was likely infected after being exposed to sick and dead birds in a backyard flock in Louisiana, the CDC said. A genetic analysis of samples from the patient found mutations in the virus that weren't found in the birds. "The changes observed were likely generated by replication of this virus in the patient with advanced disease rather than primarily transmitted at the time of infection," the CDC said this week. The agency called the mutations "concerning' and "a reminder that A(H5N1) viruses can develop changes during the clinical course of a human infection." But it said the case would be more concerning if the mutations had been found in the birds or at an earlier stage of infection when the patient is more likely to unknowingly spread the virus. While the Louisiana patient is the first person in the U.S. to contract a severe case of bird flu, more than 60 milder cases have been reported this year. Meanwhile, a big cat sanctuary in Washington recently suffered "significant losses" among its animals after a bird flu outbreak.

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Dec 27, 2024 at 06:21 PM EST

USDA has ‘dropped the ball,’ warns expert

"The USDA has basically dropped the ball, big-time," Dr. Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, told CNN Friday after bird flu spread rapidly through U.S cattle.

"I think it was out of fear to protect the industry. And they thought it was going to burn out, and it didn't."

Osterholm said, "the pandemic clock is ticking," as he urged officials in the U.S. and around the world to examine what they learned during the Covid-19 pandemic and use it to prepare for the next pandemic.

Dec 27, 2024 at 06:02 PM EST

We ‘have our head in the sand’, health expert warns over bird flu

A health expert warned today that the U.S. has its "head in the sand" over the threat of a potential bird flu pandemic.

Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator under Donald Trump, told CNN that America has not learned its lessons from Covid-19.

"We kind of have our head in the sand about how widespread this is from the zoonotic standpoint, from the animal-to-human standpoint," Birx said.

Birx has called for widespread testing of farmworkers.

Dec 27, 2024 at 05:44 PM EST

What are the 10 signs of bird flu in a dog?

Symptoms of bird flu in dogs often resemble other respiratory illnesses and include:

• Fever
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Red or inflamed eyes
• Nasal or eye discharge
• Breathing difficulties
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Neurological symptoms like tremors or lack of coordination
• Vomiting

If your dog shows any of these signs, especially following potential exposure, consult a veterinarian immediately. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) notes that proper diagnostic testing is essential, as these symptoms overlap with common canine respiratory illness

Dec 27, 2024 at 05:33 PM EST

Can dogs get bird flu?

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The death of an Oregon house cat and a pet food recall are raising questions about the ongoing bird flu outbreak in the United States and how people can protect their pets.

Bird flu, or H5N1, has been spreading for years in wild birds, chickens, turkeys and many other animals. It was first confirmed in U.S. dairy cattle in March.

The virus has been causing sporadic, mostly mild illnesses in people in the U.S., and nearly all of those infected worked on dairy or poultry farms. When the virus is found, every bird on a farm is killed to limit the spread of the disease.

While dogs are not common carriers of bird flu, they can become infected, especially if exposed to sick or dead birds. Symptoms may resemble other respiratory illnesses.

Read in full from Jesus Mesa on Newsweek.

Dec 27, 2024 at 05:22 PM EST

How to protect yourself from bird flu if you work with infected animals, according to CDC

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Dec 27, 2024 at 05:11 PM EST

Authorities find reassuring detail in mutated bird flu virus

Federal officials say they have found some reassuring details in first severe human case of bird flu in the U.S.

Virus samples from the patient, in southwest Louisiana, found mutations that suggested the bird flu could be more easily passed between humans.

However, tests showed that those mutations developed as the virus adapted within its human host, rather than originating from infected poultry.

This suggests the virus in birds hasn't yet acquired the mutations that could facilitate easier transmission among humans.

The CDC's investigation also noted that while the mutations observed in the Louisiana patient were concerning, they were not frequently found in early stages of infection. Furthermore, there was no evidence of the virus spreading from the patient to others.

Health experts emphasize the importance of taking precautions, particularly for high-risk groups like farmworkers. Some experts argue that offering vaccines to those at greater risk could help curb infections and prevent further mutations that might increase the virus's potential to spread among people.

Dec 27, 2024 at 04:56 PM EST

Is Covid 19 an influenza pandemic?

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The most devastating pandemic in recent history is the Covid-19 virus, killing more than seven million people worldwide, according to WHO data. Around 1.2 million of those deaths were in the U.S.

Covid-19's death toll surpasses those of influenza pandemics, including the Asian Flu (1957), Hong Kong Flu (1968), and Swine Flu (2009).

However, Covid-19 is not classed as an influenza pandemic as it is caused by the SARS-CoV-2, or coronavirus.

Dec 27, 2024 at 04:39 PM EST

Top five worst influenza outbreaks in history: No. 1

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Spanish Flu (1918-1919)

Death Toll: Estimated 50 million to 100 million people

Impact: The Spanish Flu is the deadliest influenza pandemic in modern history, infecting about one-third of the global population, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Caused by the H1N1 virus, it began during the First World War, in January 1918 and spread around the world infecting an estimated 500 million people.

The virus is thought to have caused a minimum of 50 million deaths. Of those, around 675,000 were in the U.S.

The war played a major role in the spread of the virus as large numbers of people traveled long distances for the first time, enabling the spread.

Each wave of the Spanish Flu seemed to be deadlier. By the third wave, contemporary reports stated the virus could kill a healthy person within a day.

This resulted in a situation in which anyone having contracted Spanish Flu either died or became immune, slowing the spread of the virus. By the summer of 1919, the third wave was over and the pandemic ended.

The global spread of the 1918 flu is often referred to as "the forgotten pandemic" because it was overshadowed by the First World War and media blackouts in many countries at the time. This is despite the fact it claimed over twice as many lives, with an estimated 20 million killed in the conflict.

Yet, Spanish Flu, or 1918 H1N1 as it is officially known, isn't "dead." However, because of the supply of antivirals and the flu vaccine, the Spanish Flu is unlikely to be the cause of another pandemic.

Dec 27, 2024 at 04:18 PM EST

Top five worst influenza outbreaks in history: No. 2

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Asian Flu (1957-1958)

Death Toll: Estimated 1 million to 2 million people

Impact: The Asian Flu was caused by an H2N2 strain of the influenza A virus.

It began in East Asia and spread worldwide, leading to significant fatalities, particularly among young children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions, according to the NIH.

It led to widespread disruption in healthcare systems and society.

The pandemic ended in 1958, but the H2N2 virus continued to circulate until it was replaced by the H3N2 strain in the 1968 Hong Kong Flu.

The Asian Flu pandemic led to significant advancements in vaccine research and the development of the first modern influenza vaccine.

It also provided crucial lessons in general vaccine safety, distribution, and effectiveness, laying the groundwork for the development of future vaccines for seasonal influenza and the global coordination of flu vaccination programs.

Dec 27, 2024 at 04:07 PM EST

Top five worst influenza outbreaks in history: No. 3

Hong Kong Flu (1968-1969)

Death Toll: Estimated 1 million people

Impact: Caused by the H3N2 influenza strain, it originated in Hong Kong in the summer of 1968 and spread rapidly across the globe, reaching the United States and other continents by late 1968.

The Hong Kong Flu was relatively mild compared to other major pandemics like the Russian Flu, but it still caused significant illness and deaths among the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions.

Its pandemic subsided in 1969, but the virus continued to circulate, eventually becoming a part of the regular seasonal flu strain.

Dec 27, 2024 at 03:59 PM EST

Top five worst influenza outbreaks in history: No. 4

Russian Flu (1889-1890)

Death Toll: Estimated 1 million people

Impact: This pandemic, caused by an H3N8 strain of the influenza virus, began in Russia and spread across Europe, Asia, and the United States.

It was one of the earliest modern influenza pandemics and had a notable death toll due to its rapid global spread, especially by rail and ship, according to the NIH.

The Russian Flu pandemic impacted health systems globally and set the stage for the more devastating flu pandemics that followed.

Dec 27, 2024 at 03:45 PM EST

Top five worst influenza outbreaks in history: No. 5

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The spate of human cases of bird flu this year is concerning but it does not yet pose any pandemic threat as all cases have been humans infected directly from animals.

There has been no cases of human to human infection of bird flu. But authorities are closely watching the situation and are working on a current bird flu vaccine for humans.

Bird flu is caused by influenza A viruses, a type of virus known to cause flu pandemics. Such flu pandemics have been responsible for millions of deaths worldwide.

Here are the top five worst influenza outbreaks in history based on their global impact, including death tolls and severity:

5. Swine Flu (H1N1, 2009-2010)

Death Toll: Estimated 151,700 to 575,400 people

Impact: The H1N1 Swine Flu pandemic spread rapidly after emerging in Mexico in 2009, according to the NIH.

It affected many healthy young adults and children, with a high burden on healthcare systems globally, though its overall mortality rate was drastically lower than the Spanish Flu.

Dec 27, 2024 at 03:39 PM EST

Transmission of Avian Influenza A (Bird Flu) Viruses

Avian influenza A viruses can be transmitted to humans or other animals in two primary ways, per the CDC:

1. Direct Transmission

• Source: Infected birds or contaminated environments (saliva, mucus, feces).
• Risk to Humans: Humans are at risk if they are exposed to sufficient viral particles through the eyes, nose, mouth, or inhalation. This typically happens through close, prolonged contact with infected birds or contaminated areas, especially without proper protective equipment.

2. Transmission via Intermediate Hosts

• Mechanism: Influenza A viruses can reassort (mix genes) when different strains infect the same animal, such as a pig infected by both human and avian viruses.
• Outcome: The reassorted virus may acquire new characteristics, allowing it to infect humans and potentially spread easily. This process can lead to a new virus subtype, which might lack pre-existing immunity in the population, increasing the risk of an influenza pandemic. This process is known as "antigenic shift."

Though rare, the reassortment of avian and human influenza viruses can cause a major shift in the virus, leading to a pandemic potential, as seen in the 2009 H1N1 outbreak.

Monitoring and studying the genetic reassortment of avian and human influenza viruses is critical to identifying new viruses and understanding their pandemic potential.

Dec 27, 2024 at 03:28 PM EST

Avian Influenza A(H5): Onset, Contagiousness, and Illness Duration

• Symptom Onset:

  • Symptoms usually start about three days after infection but can appear between 2–7 days.
  • Eye symptoms, such as redness and irritation, may occur earlier, within 1–2 days after exposure.

• Contagious Period:

  • Mild illness: People are most contagious during the first few days of illness, though details remain unclear.
  • Severe illness: Those with severe symptoms, like pneumonia, can remain contagious for several weeks due to high viral loads in the respiratory tract.

• Illness Duration:

  • Most cases last a few days to under two weeks.
  • Severe cases, such as those requiring hospitalization, may persist for several weeks.

Source: CDC

Dec 27, 2024 at 03:18 PM EST

U.S. had more human cases of bird flu than the rest of the world combined

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The United States had more human cases of bird flu than this year, than the entire of the rest of the world, according to CDC data.

Avian flu cases in humans in the U.S. soared in 2024, with 65 separate cases reported.

In comparison, the country with the second-highest number of outbreaks, Cambodia, had 10, while Vietnam in third, had just 2.

Most countries reported zero cases of human infections.

Dec 27, 2024 at 03:15 PM EST

Overview of Avian Influenza A Virus Subtypes and Human Infections

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Avian influenza A viruses are divided into subtypes, many of which can infect wild birds and poultry, though human infections are rare. Below is a summary of key subtypes and their impact, as reported by the CDC:

A(H3) Viruses:
LPAI A(H3N8) has been detected in wild birds and poultry in Asia. A few human cases in China have caused severe pneumonia and, in one instance, death.

A(H5) Viruses:
Nine subtypes of A(H5) exist, with most being LPAI. However, HPAI A(H5N1) and A(H5N6) have caused severe pneumonia and high mortality in human cases. Since 1997, A(H5N1) has led to infections in 23 countries, with a 50% death rate.

A(H6) Viruses:
LPAI A(H6) viruses are found in wild and domestic birds but are not regularly reported. The first human infection, A(H6N1), occurred in Taiwan in 2013.

A(H7) Viruses:
These include nine subtypes, with A(H7N9) being the most notable. First detected in China in 2013, A(H7N9) has caused severe illness and a 40% mortality rate in human cases. Other A(H7) subtypes have led to mild to moderate human infections.

A(H9) Viruses:
All A(H9) viruses identified are LPAI, with A(H9N2) being the most common in human cases. It generally causes mild respiratory illness but has occasionally resulted in death.

A(H10) Viruses:
A(H10) viruses include several subtypes, with A(H10N3), A(H10N7), and A(H10N8) causing human infections primarily through contact with poultry. These infections are rare but can lead to severe outcomes.

Dec 27, 2024 at 03:00 PM EST

Avian influenza A viruses and human infections

According to the CDC, avian influenza A viruses infrequently infect humans. Five subtypes—H5, H6, H7, H9, and H10—have been linked to human infections, with H5, H7, and H9 being the most common culprits. Notably, A(H5N1) and A(H7N9) have accounted for the majority of reported cases, while HPAI A(H5N6) and LPAI A(H9N2) have also caused infections in recent years.

Other subtypes, including A(H6N1), A(H10N3), A(H10N7), and A(H10N8), have occasionally infected small numbers of people. In the U.S., no cases of HPAI A(H7) virus infections have been recorded, though there have been four confirmed cases of LPAI A(H7N2) infections.

Dec 27, 2024 at 02:57 PM EST

If you have any of these signs of bird flu, seek medical care

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The CDC have released a list of bird flu symptoms including fever, muscle aches and eye redness.

"If you have signs of bird flu, seek medical care," the agency warned.

Dec 27, 2024 at 02:45 PM EST

CDC launches free vaccination program to protect farmworkers

The CDC has launched a free vaccination program to protect farmworkers from bird flu.

More than 100,000 doses of the annual flu vaccine were provided across 12 states suffering from bird flu outbreaks.

The flu vaccine does not protect workers against bird flu but prevents co-infections and possible mutations of the virus if they catch the virus while already suffering from seasonal flu.

Eduardo Azziz-Baumgartner, a Medical Epidemiologist with the CDC, told ABC News, that people in rural communities typically get the flu vaccine less often than other parts of the U.S.

"This year, there's also concern about the bird flu," he said. "We certainly don't want people to have co-infections with the two viruses.

"It can lead to changes in the virus that can be problematic and for getting the ability to transmit among people."

There are currently no human vaccines available to prevent HPAI A(H5N1), the highly contagious and deadly strain of the influenza A virus that causes bird flu.

There are vaccines in development, including one from Moderna, and plans in place for a potential pandemic.

Dec 27, 2024 at 02:38 PM EST

Understanding the classifications of avian influenza A viruses

Avian influenza A viruses are divided into two categories—low pathogenicity (LPAI) and highly pathogenic (HPAI)—based on molecular characteristics and their impact on chickens in laboratory settings, according to the CDC.

Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (LPAI): These viruses cause mild or no illness in poultry, such as ruffled feathers or reduced egg production. While most avian influenza A viruses are LPAI, some can mutate into more severe forms.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI): HPAI viruses lead to severe disease and high mortality in poultry, often killing 90%-100% of infected chickens within 48 hours. While ducks can carry the virus without symptoms, HPAI infections in poultry can spread to wild birds, facilitating further geographic spread during migration.

Both LPAI and HPAI can quickly spread in poultry flocks, and their designation does not determine illness severity in humans, as both types have caused varying symptoms in infected individuals.

Dec 27, 2024 at 02:25 PM EST

Genetic lineages of avian influenza A viruses

Avian influenza A viruses in birds have evolved into distinct genetic lineages based on their geographic origins, according to the CDC. For example, viruses first detected in Asia are genetically different from those first identified in North America.

Researchers analyze the genetic make-up of these viruses to classify them into broad lineages, which can be further refined by comparing closely related strains. Lineage names often include details about the host, time period, and location to provide more specific distinctions. This detailed genetic analysis helps scientists track and understand the evolution and spread of avian influenza A viruses.

Dec 27, 2024 at 02:23 PM EST

How is bird flu spreading?

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Dec 27, 2024 at 02:14 PM EST

Influenza A subtypes and their impact across species

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Influenza A viruses are classified into subtypes based on two surface proteins: hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA), with 18 known HA subtypes and 11 NA subtypes. According to the CDC, most subtypes are found in birds, except H17N10 and H18N11, which are exclusive to bats. Combinations like H7N2 or H5N1 indicate specific HA and NA protein pairings.

Among humans, only two subtypes—A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2)—are actively circulating, while influenza A viruses are also known to infect species like horses, dogs, and swine. Although avian influenza A viruses occasionally infect other animals such as seals and cats, they rarely spread widely among these populations.

Dec 27, 2024 at 02:03 PM EST

Bird flu ‘wake up call’: Scientists issue warning after mutation

Scientists are warning the public about bird flu after a patient in Louisiana showed mutations that could increase the transmission of the virus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analyzed samples from a patient with the nation's first severe case of bird flu. The agency found mutations that were not found in virus sequences collected on the patient's property, "suggesting the changes emerged in the patient after infection," it announced on its website on Thursday.

Experts—including Michael Mina, a physician-scientist, and Rick Bright, an immunologist and a virologist—have since commented on the news.

Newsweek has contacted Mina and Bright for further comment via social media.

Read the full story by Jenna Sundel on Newsweek.

Dec 27, 2024 at 01:52 PM EST

The immune system’s powerful reaction to viral infections

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When bodily cells are damaged by viruses, the immune system activates, leading to symptoms like fever and chills. According to Pfizer, fever is generally a protective response, raising the body's temperature to combat invading microbes.

Research shows that patients with mild to moderate fevers in intensive care often fare better than those without a fever or with extreme temperatures. Chills, which frequently accompany a fever, occur as the body increases its core temperature to fight infection. These immune responses are vital in the body's battle against viral invaders.

Dec 27, 2024 at 01:40 PM EST

The way viruses replicate and spread within the body

Once inside a host, viruses latch onto cell surfaces, where their proteins bind with cellular receptors. This fusion allows the virus to release its DNA or RNA into the host cell, initiating reproduction. If the immune system fails to neutralize the invading virus, infection takes hold, according to Pfizer.

The virus may remain localized at its entry site or spread to other cells and tissues through the bloodstream, enabling widespread infection. In some cases, viruses travel via nerve endings to attack the nervous system or infiltrate major organs, further complicating the host's ability to fight the infection. Understanding these processes is critical in developing antiviral treatments and preventative measures.

Dec 27, 2024 at 01:30 PM EST

How viruses infiltrate the body

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Viruses, which cannot reproduce on their own, rely on host cells to replicate, making them highly adept at penetrating and infecting the human body. According to Pfizer, viruses most commonly enter through the respiratory tract, including the nose and mouth, making this the primary route for pathogens such as rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, and influenza viruses.

Other entry points include the alimentary canal, through activities like eating or drinking, where enteroviruses may find access. The urogenital area serves as a route for viruses such as HIV, hepatitis, and herpes during sexual activity. Additionally, viruses can infiltrate through the surface of the eyeball or through breaks in the skin, as intact skin acts as a barrier they cannot breach.

Mucus linings in areas such as the throat, gastrointestinal tract, and genital tract provide some protection, but persistent viruses can often bypass these defenses to infect the host. Understanding these entry mechanisms is key to developing strategies for prevention and treatment.

Dec 27, 2024 at 01:21 PM EST

Understanding viral transmission in indoor spaces

The spread of viruses in indoor environments is influenced by a range of factors, including environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and space usage, as well as the activities of the people within those spaces, according to the American Society for Microbiology.

Actions like flushing toilets, eating, talking, and vacuuming can contribute to viral transmission, along with the intrinsic properties of viruses themselves, such as surface charge and the presence of a viral envelope.

"It's not a simple matter, but really a complex ecology of how viruses survive in the environment," said Charles Gerba, Ph.D., a virology professor at the University of Arizona's Water & Energy Sustainable Technology Center.

While each indoor space has a unique transmission dynamic, key avenues like aerosol dissemination and surface interactions play critical roles in the spread of pathogens.

Dec 27, 2024 at 01:12 PM EST

Map shows avian flu cases in wild birds across U.S.

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A map, from the CDC, shows avian flu outbreaks in wild bird populations across the United States.

This data, provided by U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), reveals just how widespread the virus is with a vast number of counties reporting bird flu cases.

Dec 27, 2024 at 01:00 PM EST

Map shows bird flu cases in commercial poultry and backyard flocks

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A map, from the CDC, shows bird flu outbreaks in commercial poultry facilities, backyard poultry and hobbyist bird flocks across the United States.

The data, provided by U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), records 127,470,312 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) viruses detected in U.S. wild aquatic birds, commercial poultry and backyard or hobbyist flocks since January 2022.

Dec 27, 2024 at 12:48 PM EST

How to protect your pet from bird flu

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As cases of bird flu increase, experts are urging pet owners to remain vigilant and take precautions to safeguard their animals from the disease.

Bird flu, or Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), caused by viruses such as H5N1 and H5N8, spreads primarily through contact with infected birds, their droppings, or contaminated surfaces.

While human-to-pet transmission is rare, pets including cats and dogs can become infected if they come into close contact with infected birds or consume raw meat from infected poultry.

Pets are naturally curious, and this could put them at risk. It is important to minimize their exposure to wild birds and areas where infected birds might be present.

Tips for preventing HPAI infection in dogs and cats are the same as for many other infectious diseases, according to AVMA:

• Keep cats indoors.
• Keep pets that do go outdoors away from wild birds, poultry, and cattle and their environments.
• Prevent pets from eating dead birds or other animals.
• Avoid feeding pets raw meat or poultry and unpasteurized milk.

Read in full from Emma Marsden on Newsweek.

Dec 27, 2024 at 12:36 PM EST

Urgent recall for pet food contaminated with bird flu after cat dies

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A Portland-based pet food company has issued a voluntary recall after a pet cat in Oregon died from eating one of its products, which was positive for bird flu contamination.

Northwest Naturals announced in a press release this week that it was "voluntarily recalling one batch" of its 2-pound Feline Turkey Recipe, raw frozen pet food after it had tested positive for avian influenza (HPAI) virus, or bird flu.

"Consumption of raw or uncooked pet food contaminated with HPAI can cause illness in animals," the press release said. "To date, one case of illness in a domestic cat has been reported in connection with this issue."

The recalled product is in 2-pound plastic bags with best if used by dates of May 21, 2026 and June 23, 2026. The food was sold through distributors in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Washington. It was also sold in British Columbia in Canada.

Consumers who have purchased the recalled product should immediately discard it and contact the place of purchase for a full refund, according to Northwest Naturals.

For additional information or questions, customers may contact Northwest Naturals of Portland at info@nw-naturals.net or 866-637-1872 from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday.

Dec 27, 2024 at 12:25 PM EST

Deadly Bird Flu Devastates Big Cat Sanctuary

A big cat sanctuary in Washington has suffered "significant losses" among the animals in its care after what it said was an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)—also known as bird flu.

Newsweek contacted the Wild Felid Advocacy Center of Washington for further comment outside of standard working hours.

The Wild Felid Advocacy center of Washington said that the "devastating" viral infection, spread by wild birds is primarily transmitted through respiratory secretions and direct contact between birds.

Carnivorous mammals, including cats, can also contract the virus by consuming infected birds or their byproducts, it said, adding that cats are especially susceptible, with the infection often presenting mild initial symptoms, but rapidly advancing to severe pneumonia-like conditions that can lead to death within 24 hours.

According to a post from the sanctuary, 20 of their big cats have died.

Read in full from Joe Edwards on Newsweek.

Dec 27, 2024 at 12:17 PM EST

CDC issues update on bird flu ‘mutations’ in humans

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified mutations in a strain of the avian influenza virus H5N1, also known as bird flu, found in a Louisiana patient.

The mutations were discovered after samples from the patient were analyzed, which marked the first severe case of bird flu in the U.S.

Newsweek has contacted the CDC for comment outside of standard working hours.

Earlier this month, the CDC confirmed that the first case of severe bird flu in the U.S., with CDC officials reporting the patient had been exposed to sick and dead birds in backyard flocks.

Read in full from Joe Edwards on Newsweek.

Dec 27, 2024 at 11:59 AM EST

New outbreak of bird flu detected in Vermont

A new outbreak of bird flu has been detected in a backyard flock in Vermont, according to the state's agricultural agency.

The flock of two dozen non-commercial birds in Franklin County was quarantined after the owner reported several bird deaths on December 19.

They were put down after bird flu was confirmed.

Everyone who came into contact with the infected birds are being closely monitored by the Vermont Department of Health. But so far, there have been no reported cases in humans in Vermont or New England from this current outbreak.

This is the fourth outbreak of bird flu in a domestic flock in Vermont since 2022, according to the announcement by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets.

"Despite the low risk to the public, the virus remains deadly to many species of birds," the agency said. "All bird owners, from those who own backyard pets to commercial farmers, are strongly encouraged to review biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks."

Dec 27, 2024 at 11:47 AM EST

Can you die from bird flu?

It is possible to die from bird flu. In the past, a human infection was likely to be serious—more than 50 percent of the nearly 1000 people infected with bird flu from the 1990s to 2020 died.

However, more recent cases of bird flu have generally been mild, with only one of the 61 cases in the U.S. experiencing severe symptoms requiring hospitalization.

"The fact that we're seeing a greater proportion of mild cases in the current outbreak (since 2020) may reflect a change in the virus, but it might just be because we're monitoring it more carefully and picking up mild infections that would previously have been missed," Professor Ed Hutchinson, virologist at the University of Glasgow, Scotland, told Newsweek.

Dec 27, 2024 at 11:33 AM EST

Bird flu outbreak map shows states with most cases

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Newsweek has created a map showing which states have recorded the most human bird flu cases, after the first human case of severe bird flu was confirmed in Louisiana.

California, which has declared a state of emergency in response to the current outbreak, has recorded the most cases (34), followed by Washington (11) and then Colorado 10).

More than 60 bird flu infections have been reported this year, more than half the cases occurring in California. In two instances—an adult in Missouri and a child in California—health officials have yet to determine how the individuals were infected.

Previous cases in the U.S. have been mild, the vast majority occurring among farmworkers who had direct exposure to sick poultry or dairy cows.

But the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the first case of severe bird flu in the country earlier this month. The patient had been exposed to sick and dead birds in backyard flocks.

Read in full from Jordan King on Newsweek.

Dec 27, 2024 at 11:23 AM EST

Will bird flu become a pandemic?

The risk of a bird flu pandemic depends on whether the virus stays primarily an animal disease, with occasional spillover infections, or mutates to be a human illness.

"If we start to get human-to-human transmission, especially going into the winter in the U.S. when flu spreads the best anyways, there is a very high chance that this virus would start to spread," Jeremy Rossman, senior lecturer in virology at University of Kent, previously told Newsweek. "We just don't know what that would look like and that is the biggest concern."

Professor Moritz Kraemer, a biologist specializing in pandemics at the University of Oxford, previously told Newsweek: "The fact that we are only a single mutation away from H5N1 (clade 2.3.4.4.b) potentially shifting from avian to human specificity underscores the importance of continued surveillance and control efforts to reduce the risk of pathogen spillovers."

Hutchinson said: "When an influenza virus from a different animal adapts to spread effectively among humans, the result is a pandemic.

"At the moment, there is no indication that this has happened for H5N1, and we do not really know enough about this new H5N1 strain to confidently assess how likely it is to make that jump.

"But the more encounters the virus has with humans, the more chances it has to adapt to growing in them, and if it can mix and match its genes with a human seasonal flu, that could accelerate this process."

Dec 27, 2024 at 11:12 AM EST

Virologist warns of ‘grim’ bird flu situation

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A virologist has warned that the "explosion" in human bird flu cases, including the first severe case in the U.S., increases the chances of a new pandemic.

"The H5N1 situation remains grim," Dr. Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, said in a post on Bluesky on Thursday.

"There has been an explosion of human cases, both of this genotype (D1.1) and the cow genotype (B3.13). More sequences from humans is a trend we need to reverse—we need fewer humans infected, period."

"We don't know what combination of mutations would lead to a pandemic H5N1 virus and there's only so much we can predict from these sequence data. But the more humans are infected, the more chances a pandemic virus will emerge."

There were 65 confirmed cases of bird flu in humans in the United States this year, according to the CDC.

Dec 27, 2024 at 11:01 AM EST

Who is most at risk for contracting bird flu?

Those who are most at-risk of infection are poultry workers.

As the virus can spread to other animals, dairy workers are also at risk, as well as people who work with wild animals.

While people cannot catch bird flu from fully cooked eggs or poultry, people who consume raw milk are at higher risk of catching the flu from an infected animal.

Dec 27, 2024 at 10:50 AM EST

What the CDC has said about the virus mutation

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The CDC has said while the mutation in the human patient was "concerning," it has not detected any transmission from the patient to other people, meaning that the risk to the general public remains low.

In a series of statements, the CDC said, "The changes observed were likely generated by replication of this virus in the patient with advanced disease rather than primarily transmitted at the time of infection

"Although concerning, and a reminder that A(H5N1) viruses can develop changes during the clinical course of a human infection, these changes would be more concerning if found in animal hosts or in early stages of infection.

"Overall, CDC considers the risk to the general public associated with the ongoing U.S. HPAI A(H5N1) outbreak has not changed and remains low.

"The detection of a severe human case with genetic changes in a clinical specimen underscores the importance of ongoing genomic surveillance in people and animals, containment of avian influenza A(H5) outbreaks in dairy cattle and poultry, and prevention measures among people with exposure to infected animals or environments."

Dec 27, 2024 at 10:40 AM EST

How does bird flu spread to humans?

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H5N1 is one of the more common bird flu strains to make the jump from birds to humans.

The infected birds spread the virus through their saliva, mucus and feces. If these get into a human's eyes, nose or mouth, or is inhaled, then they can become infected.

Virus particles could be in the air or on something touched by a person.

Common ways it is spread is by someone touching contaminated bedding and touching their face, or handling a sick bird or touching bird feces and then failing to thorough wash their hands before eating.

The risk of infection from bird flu remains low for most people. It cannot be caught by eating fully cooked poultry or eggs.

The CDC said that spread from person-to-person is rare, but that the possibility exists for it to adapt and spread more easily.

Some scientists have warned that the virus may be able to jump to humans via cats.

Dec 27, 2024 at 10:28 AM EST

What are the symptoms of bird flu?

In birds, symptoms of the infection include low energy and appetite, purple discoloration or swelling of body parts, fewer or misshapen eggs, a lack of coordination, and nasal discharge, coughing or sneezing.

In humans, bird flu presents itself in different ways, but the signs can appear more rapidly.

They include high fever, shivers, aching muscles, headache, coughing, shortness of breath, fatigue, and a runny nose.

More severe symptoms include nausea or belly pain, vomiting, diarrhea, pneumonia, chest pain, changes in organ function, or bleeding from the nose and gums.

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Dec 27, 2024 at 10:20 AM EST

What is bird flu?

The H5N1 strain of the influenza virus, also known as avian influenza or bird flu, takes many forms and is widespread among wild and domesticated birds.

Sick birds with a low-level infection tend to not show many symptoms. When infections are more severe, populations see higher mortality rates.

Health officials maintain that bird flu remains primarily an animal health concern as it can spread to domesticated poultry, pigs, horses and dogs.

Humans are also able to catch bird flu, although so far, there have been no documented cases of the virus spreading from person to person.

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