CDC updates on the total number of human H5N1 cases

CDC Reports 66 H5N1 Bird Flu Cases in US, No Human-to-Human Spread Despite Mutation

Dec 29, 2024, 05:34 PM

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 66 human cases of the H5N1 bird flu strain across the United States, with a severe case in Louisiana showing mutations that may increase the virus's ability to bind to human airways. This mutation was not found in samples from wild birds, suggesting it occurred during the patient's infection. The virus has also been detected in cats, prompting concerns about its spread to other mammals. The outbreak has severely impacted the American egg industry, leading to near-record high egg prices. A cat food recall was issued after a cat's death was linked to a contaminated batch. The CDC has emphasized that no human-to-human transmission of the mutated strain has been detected, and the risk of a broader outbreak remains low.