Rare bird flu strain raises potential of spread: 5 things to know

Becker's Healthcare January 30, 2025
Alexandra Murphy

A newly identified strain of bird flu, H5N9, discovered at a California duck farm, has prompted concerns about the possibility of a larger outbreak, The Washington Post reported Jan. 29.

Health experts are monitoring the situation, particularly the potential for genetic mutations that could make the virus more easily transmissible among humans.

Here are five more things to know:

1. The new strain is linked to the ongoing spread of H5N1, the more well-known avian influenza strain, through a genetic reassortment. The virus was identified after nearly 120,000 ducks were culled at the Merced County farm and genetic sequencing confirmed the presence of H5N9 in January. Though H5N9 is not an immediate threat to humans, experts are keeping...

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