CDC: Does the bird flu mutation make it more contagious?

Genetic sequencing of virus in the individual who died in Louisiana and the teen who was on life support in Canada show worrisome mutations, possibly after initial infection

The mutation seen in the viruses in both people is believed to help H5N1 adapt to be able to bind to cell receptors found in the upper respiratory tracts of people. Bird flu viruses normally attach to a type of cell receptor that is rare in human upper airways; it was thought that was one of the reasons why H5N1 has not easily infected people and isn’t …