Concerning Mutation Detected in H5N1 Bird Flu in Canada

Researchers have identified a troubling mutation in the H5N1 bird flu virus found in a Canadian teenager infected in November 2024. Although the 13-year-old has fully recovered, the mutation raises concerns about the virus’s ability to target human cells more effectively, potentially causing severe disease. The findings were detailed in a special edition of the New England Journal of Medicine.

The study highlighted changes in the virus’s hemagglutinin (HA) protein, which may enhance its ability to bind to human airway receptors. Researchers warned that highly pathogenic avian influenza acquired in North America could lead to serious human illness.

The teenager, who had asthma and Class 2 obesity, initially visited the emergency room on November 4 with conjunctivitis and fever. She was discharged the same day but was readmitted three days later with severe respiratory distress and other complications. Despite her condition worsening to pneumonia, acute kidney injury, and respiratory failure, intensive care interventions, including intubation and ECMO, helped her recover.

Doctors diagnosed her with H5N1 after she tested negative for human seasonal flu but exhibited high viral loads of influenza. She was treated with a combination of antiviral drugs, including oseltamivir, amantadine, and baloxavir.

This case is part of broader concerns about H5N1 in North America, with 66 human cases reported in the U.S. in 2024. Public health officials continue to monitor the virus’s evolution and potential risks.

Additional Context on Credit Card Policy Debate

As U.S. credit card debt hit $1.17 trillion by late 2024, debates over interest rate caps gained traction. President Trump has supported a 10% cap on credit card interest rates, though some Republicans argue this could harm businesses and restrict credit access. Incoming Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott, a Trump ally, has opposed similar regulations in the past and has yet to comment on the proposed cap.