New study shows increased pandemic potential of H5N1 virus in cows

New study shows increased pandemic potential of H5N1 virus in cows

How dangerous are the mutated bird flu viruses? A look at the new variants

In the spring of 2024, the appearance of the H5N1 bird flu virus caused a stir among several people in the USA. This led to intensive investigations into the circulating variants by US researchers. The results of these studies are alarming: the new, mutated viruses are not only more contagious, but also have increased potential for a pandemic.

The threat of mutations: What makes the new variants so dangerous

A recent study found that the variant of the H5N1 virus currently circulating in cattle can also infect mice and ferrets. A study in “Nature” shows that the virus multiplies in the lungs and mammary glands of these mammals and can be transmitted from there to other animals via milk or the respiratory tract. This discovery indicates that the virus variant poses a higher risk of infection for animals and possibly even humans.

The potential danger of a pandemic: How the spread affects different animal species

The H5N1 virus, which comes from Asia, has already infected numerous birds and livestock around the world in recent years. The current spread to cows and the transmission to other living creatures is causing concern. Above all, the possibility of infection through milk and the potential transmission to humans are particularly worrying.

The role of research: US scientists are studying the adaptation of the virus to mammals

A team of virologists led by Amie Eisfeld from the University of Wisconsin-Madison has examined in detail how the current variant of the H5N1 virus behaves in different mammals. The focus was on understanding whether the virus has already adapted to mammals and what the risk of human-to-human transmission is. The experiments on mice and ferrets show that the virus is most often transmitted via the mammary glands and the respiratory tract.

Is there a risk of another pandemic? The infection routes of the novel H5N1 virus

The current findings indicate that the mutated variants of the H5N1 virus pose an increased risk of infection for people. The viruses can bind to receptors in the respiratory tract of birds and humans, indicating potential infection and transmission. These discoveries highlight the urgency of further research to understand the pandemic potential of these viruses and to develop appropriate countermeasures.

A look ahead: Further research is needed

It remains unclear how quickly and effectively the H5N1 virus could spread from person to person, and the exact risk of a pandemic cannot yet be estimated. To clarify this, further studies are needed, particularly on infected people, to closely examine the effects of the new variants. A comprehensive scientific assessment is essential to respond appropriately to the potential threat posed by mutated avian influenza viruses.

Source: Nature

By Laura Müller