The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that viral samples from a hospitalized patient in Louisiana with severe H5N1 avian influenza show genetic mutations that could make the virus spread more easily among humans. The mutations were found in the patient's samples but not in those from backyard poultry, suggesting they occurred within the patient. While the CDC maintains the risk to the general public is low, this development highlights the virus's ability to adapt to human airways.
Samples from a hospitalized patient in Louisiana show changes that could make the H5N1 virus spread more easily between humansViral samples from a patient in Louisiana who was hospitalized with severe H5N1 avian influenza show genetic mutations that could make the pathogen spread more easily among humans, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced in a
The mutations were found in samples taken from the patient—but not in those from the backyard poultry that were believed to be the source of the infection. This suggests the changes occurred within the patient. While this development has not changed the CDC’s official assessment of risk to the general public, it does indicate that the H5N1 virus is capable of adapting to human airways.
“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 outbreaks in dairy cattle and poultry, and prevention measures among people with exposure to infected animals or environments,” the CDC statement said.. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
The mutations seen in the Louisiana patient’s samples are confined to the virus’s hemagglutinin gene, which encodes proteins thatand infect them. These mutations are only rarely seen in people; a few have been reported in severe human cases, all outside of the U.S. One of the changes was detected in viral samples from awho was hospitalized with a severe H5N1 infection in November.
H5N1 Avian Influenza Virus Mutation Human-To-Human Transmission CDC
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
First US Case of Severe H5N1 Bird Flu Hospitalizes Louisiana PatientThe CDC reports the first known case of severe H5N1 bird flu in a US patient, highlighting the importance of precautions for those interacting with birds.
Read more »
First US Case of Severe H5N1 Bird Flu Detected in Louisiana PatientThe CDC reports the first US case of severe H5N1 bird flu in a Louisiana patient who was exposed to sick and dead birds in backyard flocks. The virus is the same type found in recent human cases in Canada and Washington state.
Read more »
First US Case of H5N1 Bird Flu Hospitalizes Patient in LouisianaA patient in Louisiana has been hospitalized with a severe case of H5N1 bird flu, marking the first such human case in the United States. The CDC linked the infection to exposure to sick and dead birds in a backyard flock.
Read more »
First US Case of Severe H5N1 Bird Flu in Patient Hospitalized in LouisianaThe CDC reports the first US case of severe H5N1 bird flu in a Louisiana patient, linked to exposure to sick and dead birds in a backyard flock. The virus strain, D1.1, is similar to types found in recent human cases in Canada and Washington state, and detected in wild birds and poultry across the US. The CDC emphasizes that the immediate risk to public health remains low but urges caution for those with backyard chicken flocks, hunters, and bird enthusiasts.
Read more »
Person in Louisiana hospitalized with H5N1 in nation's 1st severe caseNicoletta Lanese is the health channel editor at Live Science and was previously a news editor and staff writer at the site. She holds a graduate certificate in science communication from UC Santa Cruz and degrees in neuroscience and dance from the University of Florida.
Read more »
Louisiana Resident Hospitalized with Severe H5N1 Bird FluA person in Louisiana has been hospitalized with severe H5N1 influenza after contact with sick backyard birds, marking the first known hospitalization for the virus in the U.S. this year. The case raises concerns about the ongoing bird flu outbreak.
Read more »