According to the CDC, a severe case of bird flu in a Louisiana patient found dangerous genetic mutations in the virus. These changes may improve the virus' ability to bind to receptors on the human upper respiratory tract, although experts stress that this is not a cause for alarm.
"It doesn't mean the virus is easily transmitted between people," says infectious disease expert Michael Osterholm.
"The mutation is like a key that fits the lock but doesn't open the door."
The patient, aged over 65 with a pre-existing illness, contracted the virus after contact with sick birds in a backyard flock. Although he was hospitalized with severe respiratory symptoms, there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission of the virus and the CDC says the public risk remains low.
Scientists continue to monitor the virus closely. "The pandemic clock is ticking," Osterholm warns, "and future flu pandemics could be much worse than COVID-19." | BGNES
