Current State of Bird Flu Infections

The recent outbreak of bird flu, specifically the H5N1 strain, has led to over 65 reported human cases in the U.S. Most cases have been mild, presenting symptoms like conjunctivitis or resembling a cold, although there have been instances of severe illness. Most notable were cases involving a Canadian teenager in critical condition and a Louisiana resident who died, both infections linked to a separate genetic lineage found in birds. These developments highlight a growing concern for potential evolution of the virus, which could increase its risk to human populations.