Preliminary genomic analysis of the H5N1 variant of the avian influenza virus that infected the patient revealed potential mutations in genome sites known to increase susceptibility to the virus. This may indicate that the H5N1 avian influenza virus has the ability to become more similar to the human virus than the avian virus, but it is not yet clear what effect this mutation will have on humans and how dangerous it may be. The deaths and decline in chickens have also led to rising egg prices, with the average price of a 12-pack in October 2024 reported to be $3.37 (about 520 yen), up 30.4% from the same month last year. 'Avian flu is the single biggest factor affecting egg prices,' said Bernd Nelson, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation. 'As avian flu comes and goes, egg prices go up and down in waves.'

Source: Washington Post November 21, 2024 17:09 UTC