The US just recorded the first death from severe bird flu. Experts say it's not too early, or unreasonable, to prepare for the worst.

The first person in the U.S. just died from a strain of the virus in Louisiana, but there’s still some simple ways to stay safe.

Researchers at Texas Biomed identified nine mutations in a bird flu strain from a person in Texas. Bad news: this strain is more capable of causing disease and replicates better in the brain. Good news: approved antivirals are still effective.

The World Health Organization says the risk of bird flu "remains low" to the general population despite a death from the virus in the Louisiana.

There’s “always a potential for this virus to become a pandemic, but there’s also the potential for any existing — or not yet existing — virus to become a pandemic,” said Dr. Shira Doron. The post Are we heading for a bird flu pandemic?

The Iowa Department of Agriculture is warning of bird flu in pets after a cat recently tested positive for the illness.

The bird flu, which seemed to be fading away, has once again set off alarms. With the first death recorded in the United States and the virus detected in every state, the situation is becoming increasingly complex.

Samples taken from the first patient who died from bird flu show that a strain of the virus has “mutated” to infect humans more effectively. A patient - hospitalised last month in Louisiana - died after the H5N1 strain of avian influenza infected the individual.