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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring “red flags” related to bird flu and whether the disease could become a pandemic, according to a report.
The latest numbers show 66 confirmed human cases of bird flu in the US. The CDC is taking a holiday break and will resume updates on human cases on January 3.
“The identification of clusters of epidemiologically linked human cases of influenza A(H5N1) may indicate that the virus is more capable of spreading between humans,” a CDC spokesperson said. he told Newsweek. “CDC is looking for genetic changes in circulating viruses that suggest they might transmit better between humans.”
The red flags the CDC is monitoring are outbreaks spreading from person to person and evidence that the virus has mutated, Newsweek reports.
BIRD FLU OUTBREAK EXPANDS, MORE MICHIGAN POULTRY FACILITIES EXPOSED TO VIRUS
This undated electron microscope image provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows two virions of influenza A (H5N1), a type of bird flu virus. (Cynthia Goldsmith, Jackie Katz/CDC via AP, File)
Last week, the CDC announced that a patient in Louisiana who was hospitalized with severe bird flu illness He was found to have a mutated version of the virus. That case fell into the red flag category, the CDC spokesperson told Newsweek.
“The analysis identified low-frequency mutations in the hemagglutinin gene from a sequenced sample from the patient, which were not found in virus sequences from poultry samples collected from the patient’s property, suggesting that the changes arose in the patient after infection,” the CDC said in an announcement on its website.
BIRD FLU PATIENT HAD VIRUS MUTATIONS, WHICH AWAKENED IN HUMAN SPREAD
A recall alert is displayed on a refrigerator at a pet store in Tigard, Ore., Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, after Northwest Naturals announced Tuesday a voluntary recall of a lot of its Feline Turkey frozen raw pet food 2 pound recipe. after he tested positive for the virus. (Jenny Kane)
“While these low-frequency changes are rare in humans, they have been reported in previous cases of A(H5N1) in other countries and with greater frequency during serious illness“added the agency.
The CDC did not immediately respond to a Fox News Digital investigation, but previously emphasized that there is no known transmission of the virus from the Louisiana patient to anyone else.
An exhibitor cuts a cow’s hair at the state fair in West Allis, Wisconsin, U.S., August 9, 2024. Dairy farmers were taking precautions with bird flu testing while exhibiting cattle during the fair. (Reuters/Jim Vondruska)
Avian influenza, also known as HPAI, is a highly contagious virus which can be transmitted in various ways from one herd to another through contact with infected animals, on equipment and on the clothing and shoes of keepers, according to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
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State officials on Monday confirmed infected flocks in two additional Michigan counties.
FILE PHOTO: A person touches a test tube labeled “Bird Flu,” in this illustration, Jan. 14, 2023. (REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo)
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The public health risk associated with avian influenza remains low. No birds or poultry products infected with HPAI will enter the commercial food chain.
Fox News’ Alexandra Koch, Melissa Rudy and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
