Unveiling H5N1: Comparative Risks of Raw Milk and Airborne Transmission
Researchers have found that the H5N1 virus, while capable of making mice and ferrets sick from infected cow’s milk, shows limited ability to spread through…
Avian Flu News
Avian flu, also known as avian influenza or bird flu, is a type of influenza virus that primarily affects birds, but can occasionally infect humans and other animals. This virus is naturally occurring among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can spread into domestic poultry, such as chickens, ducks, and turkeys, causing significant economic losses due to illness and death in bird populations. There are several strains of the virus, some of which are more severe than others; notably, the H5N1 strain has caused serious concern because of its potential to cause pandemic influenza. Human cases of avian influenza are rare, but when they occur, they can be deadly, particularly if the virus mutates to a form that is easily transmissible between humans. Symptoms in humans can range from typical flu-like symptoms to severe respiratory problems and death. Prevention and control measures in poultry populations include vaccination, biosecurity practices, surveillance, and culling of infected or exposed birds.
Cow Flu Crisis? Decoding the Dangerous Jump of H5N1 to Humans
Research on H5N1 influenza in U.S. dairy cattle shows the virus can cause severe disease in mice and ferrets but lacks efficient transmission through respiratory…
Is Your Milk Safe? How Heat Battles the Infectious H5N1 Flu Virus
Research shows that heating raw milk greatly lowers H5N1 virus levels, but traces might persist. Despite concerns from a U.S. cattle outbreak, ongoing FDA evaluations…
Penn Medicine Develops Potent mRNA Vaccine Against Lethal H5N1 Virus
Experimental mRNA vaccine proves highly effective against H5N1 in animal studies, offering hope for rapid pandemic response. Researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at…
Alarming Virus Evolution – Scientists Identify First-Ever Mammal-to-Human Bird Flu Case
The Biological Threat Research Laboratory (BTRL) at Texas Tech University was instrumental in identifying the first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A (H5N1)…
Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Avian Flu Detected in New York City Wild Birds
NYC wild birds carry H5N1 avian influenza, as revealed by a study involving local students. The research highlights urban zoonotic risks and the role of…
Highly Pathogenic Bird Flu Identified in Dead Florida Dolphin
Researchers documented the first North American cetacean case of avian influenza in a Florida dolphin, underscoring the need for further research on this cross-species virus…
CDC Warns of Cow-to-Human Transmission of H5N1 Bird Flu in Texas
A Texas farm worker contracted H5N1 from dairy cattle, indicating a new route of transmission for the virus, which has a high mortality rate and…
WHO Warning: Ongoing Bird Flu Outbreaks in Animals Pose Risk to Humans
Situation analysis and advice to countries from FAO, WHO, WOAH. The current outbreaks of avian influenza (also called “bird flu”) have caused devastation in animal…
Will the Largest Bird Flu Outbreak in History Lead to a Human Pandemic?
An outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza that started in 2021 has become the largest bird flu outbreak in history, both in the U.S. and worldwide….
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreak: Watch Out for These “Super Spreader” Bird Species
A new study from researchers at Tufts University details which species are super spreaders. When it comes to avian influenza, more commonly called bird flu,…
Resurgence of Bird Flu – Avian Influenza Virus – Raises Concern With Experts
With recent outbreaks identified in Canada and the United States, H5N1 – a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIv) strain – is quickly becoming a…
Scientists Create Phage Capsid Nanoparticles That Prevent Viral Infection
Researchers have developed a phage capsid that renders influenza viruses harmless. The approach could also be applicable to the coronavirus. A new approach brings the…
Moratorium Into Research of Modified Contagious H5N1 Avian Flu Strains
Researchers have agreed to pause their work on the H5N1 avian influenza virus for the next 60 days. The research involved creating extra-contagious versions of…