H5N1

Influenza A (H5N1) virus – also called “H5N1 virus” – is an influenza A virus subtype that occurs mainly in birds, is highly contagious among birds, and can be deadly to them. H5N1 virus does not usually infect people, but infections with these viruses have occurred in humans.

What is Bird Flu (H5N1)?

Bird flu or avian flu is a highly contagious viral infection that is transmitted between birds and on rare occasions, from birds to humans.

Bird Flu (H5N1) Genetics

Bird Flu (H5N1) Prevention

Bird Flu (H5N1) Treatment

Bird Flu (H5N1) Epidemiology

Bird Flu (H5N1) Symptoms

Latest H5N1 News and Research

Study shows cows harbor both human and avian flu receptors in their mammary glands

Study investigates the expression of influenza A virus (IAV) receptors in bovine respiratory, cerebral, and mammary tissues, revealing significant localization of human and duck receptors in mammary glands and predominant chicken receptors in the respiratory tract, which may influence the transmission and pathogenesis of IAV in cattle.

8 May 2024

Bird flu is bad for poultry and dairy cows. It’s not a dire threat for most of us — yet.

Headlines are flying after the Department of Agriculture confirmed that the H5N1 bird flu virus has infected dairy cows around the country.

3 May 2024

Bird flu detected in cow's milk: Insights from an infectious disease expert

In light of the United States Food and Drug Administration's announcement that bird flu has been discovered in cow's milk, board-certified infectious disease physician Carl Abraham, M.D., assistant professor at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM), shares insights on what the general public should know.

2 May 2024

New vaccine approach shows promise in targeting less variable region of influenza virus

Duke researchers have opened a new avenue in the attack against influenza viruses by creating a vaccine that encourages the immune system to target a portion of the virus surface that is less variable.

2 May 2024

WHO overturns dogma on airborne disease spread. The CDC might not act on it.

The World Health Organization has issued a report that transforms how the world understands respiratory infections like covid-19, influenza, and measles.

1 May 2024

Avian flu crosses species, infecting cats and cattle in Texas and Kansas

A study in the CDC's Emerging Infectious Disease Journal reports the spread of H5N1 avian influenza among cats and dairy cattle in Texas and Kansas, showing systemic illness in cattle and significant fatalities in cats exposed to the virus through infected milk.

1 May 2024

Avian flu's leap to humans: Understanding risks and prevention strategies

Comprehensive report by the EFSA and ECDC delves into the factors that could prompt an avian influenza virus to evolve and potentially spark a pandemic, emphasizing the One Health approach for effective prevention and risk mitigation strategies.

10 Apr 2024

H5N1 variant spreads between species, endangering wildlife

The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 has adapted to spread between birds and marine mammals, posing an immediate threat to wildlife conservation, according to a study from the University of California, Davis, and the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) in Argentina.

29 Feb 2024

Rising mammal infections signal alarm for potential H5N1 pandemic

Comprehensive review highlights the increasing trend of mammal-to-mammal transmissions of H5N1 avian influenza, emphasizing the need for vigilant surveillance to prevent a potential pandemic.

14 Feb 2024

Immunoregulatory nanomedicines for the prevention and treatment of respiratory diseases

Study explores immunoregulatory nanomedicines for respiratory infections, highlighting their potential in enhancing treatment outcomes and vaccine efficacy.

7 Dec 2023

Avian influenza A H5N1 virus impacts wide range of wildlife in the U.S., study shows

Study highlights the spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) virus among non-domesticated animals in the U.S., revealing neurological symptoms as a key clinical presentation and expanding the range of species affected by this Eurasian lineage virus.

19 Nov 2023

Pediatric viral threats surge in the 21st century: A call for One Health approach

Scoping review in "Pediatric Research" examines the rise of pediatric viral diseases in the 21st century and underscores the importance of a One Health approach, integrating human, animal, and ecosystem health, to combat these emerging and re-emerging infectious threats effectively.

9 Nov 2023

Avian flu decimates 5% of Peru's sea lions, sparking conservation alarm

Over 5,000 Peruvian sea lions, approximately 5% of Peru's population, succumbed to a mass mortality event linked to the avian influenza A(H5N1) virus, signaling an urgent need for research and conservation efforts to prevent further declines. The rapid spread of the virus among these colonially breeding mammals highlights potential risks of cross-species transmission and the necessity for heightened monitoring to avert new pandemics.

5 Nov 2023

Global surge of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1

A recent study published in Nature sheds light on the complex dynamics of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 since 2021, uncovering critical shifts in the virus's behavior and providing insights for more effective mitigation strategies. The research emphasizes the importance of understanding the ecological and virological factors driving the intensified global activity of HPAI H5N1 to better prepare for and manage future outbreaks.

22 Oct 2023

Are ecological and evolutionary shifts in highly pathogenic avian influenza pointing to another pandemic threat?

Researchers report significant changes in the ecology and evolution of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 viruses.

20 Oct 2023

Researchers develop an improved way to test potential vaccines against bird flu

Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Vaccine Research Center have developed an improved way to test potential vaccines against bird flu. The report was published this week in the journal iScience.

29 Sep 2023

COVID-19 doubles risk of early type 1 diabetes signs in high-risk children

New research in JAMA finds a temporal association between SARS-CoV-2 infections and the onset of islet autoimmunity, a precursor to type 1 diabetes, in genetically predisposed infants. The study underscores COVID-19 as a potential risk factor for the development of this form of diabetes in young children.

13 Sep 2023