Bird Flu in Patient Shows Mutations Likely Gained Post-Infection

Genetic sequences of H5N1 bird flu viruses collected from a person in Louisiana who became severely ill show signs of development of several mutations thought to affect the virus’ ability to attach to cells in the upper airways of humans, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Thursday. Scott Hensley, PhD, a professor of Microbiology, explained why these changes are concerning, but not cause for alarm yet.