In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by Matthew Binnicker, Ph.D., professor of laboratory medicine and pathology and clinical virologist at Mayo Clinic. They discuss the widespread outbreaks of H5N1 bird flu and the new “FLiRT” variants of COVID-19.

Specific topics of discussion include:

• The current situation of avian flu activity across the world and throughout the United States, including outbreaks in poultry, U.S. dairy cows, and one recent human case.
• How this outbreak is different than previous ones, and the current public health risk.
• Resources for testing humans for avian flu.
• What we know about the new “FLiRT” variants of COVID-19 and how they might impact public health in the months ahead.