The CDC has confirmed a total of 66 human cases of bird flu across the United States as of Friday, although the number is believed to be higher.

A genetic analysis suggests the bird flu virus mutated inside a Louisiana patient who contracted the first severe case of the illness in the United States. The U.S.

Federal health officials say that not only has a Louisiana resident contracted the first severe case of bird flu in the U.S., but that the virus likely mutated in the patient. The findings raise concern regarding the adaptability of the virus.

Growing concerns surrounding the transmission of H5N1 bird flu. The CDC reports that samples collected from a severely ill patient in Louisiana showed signs of mutation, as they differ from the samples collected from sick and dead birds believed to have infected the man in the first place.

Amid a "concerning" new mutation in bird flu that may indicate the virus could begin to more easily infect humans, what are the symptoms to watch for and how worried should you be?

A virologist explains that why this probably isn’t the big one — but that it’s a sign of bad things happening with the virus.

HPAI is considered low risk to humans, the agency said, and there have been no human cases in New England during the current outbreak. The post Bird flu detected in small backyard flock in Vermont appeared first on Boston.