Scientists find bird flu mutations, say threat is still low

By Associated Press

Apr 15, 2023 11:04 am

NEW YORK: A man in Chile is infected with a bird flu that has concerning mutations, but the threat to people from the virus remains low, US health officials said Friday.

Past animal studies suggest these mutations could cause the virus to be more harmful or spread more easily, health officials said. But they also said there is no evidence that the mutations would make it easier for it to take root in a person's upper lungs — a development that would raise concerns about spread among people.

Municipal workers collect dead pelicans on Santa Maria beach in Lima, Peru, Nov. 30, 2022, as thousands of birds died in November along the Pacific of Peru from bird flu, according to The National Forest and Wildlife Service (Serfor). A man in Chile is infected with a bird flu that has concerning mutations, according to a new lab analysis. But U.S. health officials said Friday, April 14, 2023, that the threat to people remains low. Guadalupe Pardo/AP Photo

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