H5N1 Bird Flu: 66 US Cases, Severe Illness in BC Teen, Mutations in Louisiana Raise Transmission Fears

Jan 2, 2025, 03:18 PM

The H5N1 bird flu virus has caused concern due to its spread across the United States and Canada, with 66 confirmed human cases reported in the U.S. since the outbreak began in 2024. A particularly severe case involved a 13-year-old in British Columbia who was critically ill and required advanced life support, including ECMO, highlighting the virus's potential for severe human illness. Mutations in the virus, including those found in a Louisiana patient, have raised concerns about its ability to better infect human airways, potentially increasing the risk of human-to-human transmission. The virus has also impacted the poultry industry, with nearly one million chickens in Ohio affected, and has led to a significant 4% drop in U.S. egg production and a rise in egg prices, with costs in California reaching nearly $9 per dozen. The Biden administration has nearly doubled its investment to combat a potential bird flu outbreak in humans, allocating $306 million before the transition to the Trump administration. Health officials are closely monitoring the situation, with the CDC emphasizing that the current public health risk remains low despite the rise in cases.