While HPAI can potentially infect humans, the CDC says the current outbreak is primarily an animal health issue.

This year’s count included 12 new species, mostly waterfowl, “highlighting the mild temperatures that kept water from freezing over, and the propensity of ducks and geese to winter further north than ...

A genetic analysis had suggested the bird flu virus had mutated inside the patient, which could have led to the more severe illness.