H5N1 Bird Flu Virus in Canadian Displays Mutations Demonstrating Virus’ Risk

The genetic sequence of the H5N1 bird flu virus that infected a teenager in British Columbia shows that the virus had undergone mutational changes that would make it easier for that version of H5N1 to infect people, according to scientists who have studied the data. While viral mutations increase the risk of human-to-human spread, experts say this isn’t yet cause for alarm. “By no means is this Day 1 of a pandemic. There’s no indication…of human-to-human spread, which is all good,” said Scott Hensley, PhD, a professor of Microbiology.