Genetic Changes Detected in First Severe US Bird Flu Case

Genetic Changes Detected in First Severe US Bird Flu Case
Genetic Changes Detected in First Severe US Bird Flu Case

United States: The US CDC clarified that it was the first case of severe bird flu and the new mutations that were found last week in the country. These mutations which occur in the hemagglutinin (HA) gene are important because HA gene codes for a major functional domain of the virus – the ability to latch on to host cells, as reported by Reuters.

Public Risk Remains Low

Despite the discovery, the CDC assured the public that the overall risk from this outbreak remains low and has not changed.

Details of the Case

The patient affected was a more than 65 years old resident of Louisiana suffering from severe respiratory illness due to D1.1 genotype of bird flu virus. This strain has been said to be recently evident in wild birds and other poultry in the United States of America. It is different from the B3.13 strain which has been associated with human, dairy cows and some poultry in other states.

Rare Mutations Linked to Severe Illness

The mutations observed in the Louisiana patient are uncommon but have been documented in other severe cases globally, including in British Columbia, Canada. Such mutations are typically associated with severe disease, the CDC noted, as reported by Reuters.

No Evidence of Secondary Transmission

The CDC confirmed that no secondary cases linked to the Louisiana patient have been identified, suggesting that the virus has not spread further.