The CDC has confirmed a total of 66 human cases of bird flu across the United States as of Friday, although the number is believed to be higher.

The CDC warns samples of the bird flu virus show signs of mutations that could make it more transmissible to humans. The CDC says it appears the H5N1 virus contained mutations in the Louisiana patient who contracted the nation’s first severe case of the illness.

A virologist explains that why this probably isn’t the big one — but that it’s a sign of bad things happening with the virus.

A genetic analysis suggests the bird flu virus mutated inside a Louisiana patient who contracted the first severe case of the illness in the United States. The U.S.

Federal health officials say that not only has a Louisiana resident contracted the first severe case of bird flu in the U.S., but that the virus likely mutated in the patient. The findings raise concern regarding the adaptability of the virus.

HPAI is considered low risk to humans, the agency said, and there have been no human cases in New England during the current outbreak. The post Bird flu detected in small backyard flock in Vermont appeared first on Boston.