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Biosecurity

Mutations Observed In First Severe Human Bird Flu Case In US, CDC Says Mutations Observed In First Severe Human Bird Flu Case In US, CDC Says
Mutations Observed In First Severe Human Bird Flu Case In US, CDC Says The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified mutations in the the first severe bird flu case in the US that may increase its ability to infect humans.  These mutations, found in the hemagglutinin (HA) gene, play a key role in helping the virus attach to cells in the upper respiratory tract. This discovery stems from the first severe US case of H5N1, involving a Louisiana resident over 65 who had direct contact with infected backyard birds.  Earlier report: First Severe Bird Flu Case Confirmed In US Notably, these mutations weren’t present in the bird sam…
'Highly-Pathogenic' Avian Flu Strain Found In Backyard Flock In Maryland 'Highly-Pathogenic' Avian Flu Strain Found In Backyard Flock In Maryland
'Highly-Pathogenic' Avian Flu Strain Found In Backyard Flock In Maryland Some animals have been quarantined or euthanized after a highly-pathogenic strain of bird flu was found in a Charles County backyard. The Maryland Department of Agriculture issued an alert this week regarding the spread of H5N1 avian influenza that was reported in a backyard flock this week. Officials say that they have "quarantined all affected premises, and birds on the properties are being or have been depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease."  Birds from the affected flocks will not enter the food system, they noted. "Avian influenza is a highly contagious airborne respi…