The flu virus currently circulating in birds and dairy cows is already better at infecting people than earlier variants, and a single mutation would allow it to bind to key human receptors

The Scripps Research Institute finding counters prevailing thought that the virus would require multiple mutations before it poses a threat to public health.

Health experts have been sounding the alarm about the potential pandemic threat posed by bird flu, which has been showing signs of mutating as it spreads among cows and infects people in the United States.

By Dawn Attride for Sentient. Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for California News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration Avian flu, also known as H5N1, continues to infect hundreds of cattle,