Connecticut has not been spared from the ongoing bird flu outbreak that has primarily been impacting livestock.

The mutations were discovered after samples from the patient were analyzed, which marked the first severe case of bird flu in the U.S. Newsweek has contacted the CDC for comment outside of standard working hours.

A genetic analysis of samples from the patient in Louisiana recently hospitalized with the country’s first severe case of H5N1 bird flu show the virus likely mutated in the patient to potentially become more transmissible to humans,

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Thursday its analysis of samples from the first severe case of bird flu in the country last week showed mutations not seen in samples from an infected backyard flock on the patient's property.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified mutations in the H5N1 bird flu virus that may increase its ability to infect humans. These mutations, found in the hemagglutinin (HA) gene,

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention scientists say they found "concerning" mutations in the bird flu virus in the first confirmed US case involving severe illness—but the mutations appear to be confined to the patient.

California’s battle with bird flu has been intensified as two new confirmed cases have been found in Stanislaus and Los Angeles counties. The rate at which the flu lathers has led California Governor Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency on December 18.