A recent discovery of a new bird flu mutation in the United States has raised concerns among experts about human cases causing severe illness and animal infections. The virus found in a critically ill patient in the US has shown signs of mutating to better suit human airways, although there is no indication it has spread beyond that individual.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a small percentage of the virus carried genetic changes that could increase its ability to bind to certain cell receptors found in the human upper respiratory tract. However, these changes have not been detected in birds, including those believed to be the source of the patient’s initial infection.
Experts caution that it is too early to determine whether this mutation would make the virus more transmissible or more severe in people. Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at the University of Saskatchewan, noted that additional evidence such as animal testing would be needed to confirm any effect on transmissibility.
The CDC has reported 65 confirmed human cases of bird flu in 2024, and many more may go undetected among dairy and poultry workers. The widespread circulation of the virus increases the likelihood of it mixing with seasonal influenza, potentially triggering “rapid evolutionary leaps” similar to those that caused previous flu pandemics.
In addition to human cases, bird flu has also been found in cats. A cat in Oregon died after consuming raw pet food contaminated with H5N1, prompting a recall of Northwest Naturals’ Feline Turkey Recipe raw and frozen pet food. Infected outdoor cats could potentially return home and expose people to the virus through close contact, highlighting the need for vigilance among animal owners.
While the new mutation raises concerns, experts emphasize that more research is needed to understand its impact on human health.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-12-bird-flu-mutation-cat-infections.html