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The CDC said tests on the H5N1 sample showed it had a mutation that was 'known to be associated with viral adaptation to mammalian hosts'.
Speaking at a briefing, virus researchers in the US said the H5N1 strain of bird flu may now be getting 'dangerously close' to triggering a pandemic. Pharma industry consultant warned of risks.
Professor Devi Sridhar, of Edinburgh University, said there are 'signals' of a pattern emerging in avian flu's mutations, which means it could take off among humans at 'some point'.
There is no sign that the virus, which is thought to have killed millions of birds in Britain and infected poultry workers, is currently able to spread between people.
Rhian Sula, a general manager for the charity in Pembrokeshire, said it had deployed staff to warn visitors about the risks. Touching an infected bird is a known route of transmission.