The first severe case of bird flu in the U.S. is showing signs of mutation, stoking fears that the virus could become more transmissible among humans, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced.
The sample taken from the patient in Louisiana showed mutations in the gene responsible with attaching to a host’s cells, the CDC said Thursday.
The CDC has confirmed a total of 66 human cases of bird flu across the United States as of Friday, although the number is believed to be higher. While the human cases have been mostly mild, the H5N1 bird flu outbreak has wreaked havoc in the American egg industry and heightened concerns about a new pandemic.
Although the CDC said the Louisiana case is “concerning,” the agency reiterated that no person-to-person spread of bird flu has been detected so far.
Here is what we know.
Where things stand with bird flu
Officials across the country are becoming increasingly concerned that bird flu could potentially spark another pandemic.
The CDC said the patient in Louisiana was infected with a strain of the bird flu called D1.1. The patient, who hasn’t been identified, is over 65 years old and has underlying health problems.
“It has been determined that the patient had exposure to sick and dead birds in backyard flocks,” the CDC said.
A mutation has also been reported in British Columbia, Canada.
Egg prices soar and cat food is recalled due to bird flu concerns
Cartons of eggs are ready for use at Aunt Judy’s Family Restaurant in Doylestown Borough on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023.
The spread of bird flu among poultry flocks in the United States is causing egg prices to skyrocket, reaching near-record numbers as 2024 comes to a close.
The average cost of a dozen Grade A large eggs was $3.65 in November, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s up from $3.37 in October and $2.50 at the beginning of the year.
This week, Northwest Naturals recalled a line of its raw and frozen chow after health authorities linked the death of a cat to a batch of feed contaminated with bird flu.
The recalled products include the company’s 2-pound bags of its Feline Turkey Recipe that have a best-by date between May 21, 2026, and June 23, 2026.
What are the symptoms of bird flu?
Most people infected with bird flu in the U.S. have had mild symptoms.
Symptoms of H5N1 birth flu infection in humans may include pink eye, fever, fatigue, cough, muscle aches, sore throat, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, stuffy or runny nose and shortness of breath, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
While data is limited, experts from the College of American Pathologists said the farmworkers might have had different symptoms than others infected either because of different strains of the virus, or because they were infected in different ways.
The farmworkers, for instance, may have rubbed their eyes after touching a cow that was contaminated with the virus, and then developed red eyes ‒ the most common of their symptoms. By contrast, someone who came into contact with a backyard chicken or wild bird, might have inhaled the virus and therefore become sicker.
Contributing: Eduardo Cuevas and Adrianna Rodriguez
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: First severe human case of bird flu in US: ‘Concerning’ mutation’
