The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are keeping a close eye on “red flags” relating to the bird flu and whether the illness might develop into a pandemic, according to a report.
The latest numbers show 66 confirmed human cases of bird flu in the U.S. The CDC is taking a holiday break and will resume updates on human cases on Jan. 3.
“Identifying epidemiologically linked clusters of influenza A(H5N1) human cases might indicate the virus is better able to spread between humans,” a CDC spokesperson told Newsweek. “CDC is searching for genetic changes in circulating viruses that suggest it could better transmit between humans.”
The red flags the CDC is monitoring are outbreaks that are spread 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 microscopic image provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows two Influenza A (H5N1) virions, 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 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 of a sample sequenced from the patient, which were not found in virus sequences from poultry samples collected on the patient’s property, suggesting the changes emerged in the patient after infection,” the CDC said in an announcement on its website.
BIRD FLU PATIENT HAD VIRUS MUTATIONS, SPARKING CONCERN ABOUT HUMAN SPREAD
A recall alert is displayed on a refrigerator at a pet store in Tigard, Ore., on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, after Northwest Naturals announced a voluntary recall Tuesday of one batch of its 2-pound Feline Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food after it 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 most often during severe disease,” the agency added.
The CDC did not immediately get back to a Fox News Digital inquiry, but previously stressed there has been no known transmission of the virus from the Louisiana patient to anyone else.
A cow has its hair trimmed by an exhibitor at the state fair in West Allis, Wisconsin, U.S., August 9, 2024. Dairy farmers were taking precautions with testing for avian flu while exhibiting cattle during the fair. (Reuters/Jim Vondruska)
Avian influenza, also known as HPAI, is a highly contagious virus that can be spread in various ways from flock to flock through contact with infected animals, by equipment, and on the clothing and shoes of caretakers, according to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
State officials confirmed infected flocks in two additional Michigan counties on Monday.
FILE PHOTO: A person touches a test tube labelled “Bird Flu”, in this picture illustration, January 14, 2023. (REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
According to the CDC, the public health risk associated with avian influenza remains low. No birds or bird products infected with HPAI will enter the commercial food chain.
Fox News’ Alexandra Koch, Melissa Rudy and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
