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

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

Study reports highly pathogenic avian influenza A infection in pet dogs and cat on a rural poultry farm in Italy

Researchers presented serological evidence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus infection in a pet cat and five dogs on a rural poultry farm in Italy.

4 Sep 2023

Ongoing bird flu outbreak makes Finnish authorities to cull 120,000 animals

Finnish authorities have said that due to the ongoing outbreak of Highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu on 25 farms across the country they will now have to cull 120,000 animals.

25 Aug 2023

AI and infection control: preventing infectious disease outbreaks and pandemics

Researchers discussed the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in preventing outbreaks of infectious diseases and future pandemics.

19 Jul 2023

Public health concerns as highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus found in cat in France

Study describes the identification of a highly pathogenic avian influenza A virus in a domestic cat.

28 Jun 2023

The battle against avian influenza: genetic analysis unveils the origins of H5N1 outbreak

Researchers analyzed epidemiologic and phylogeographic characteristics of the avian influenza virus.

13 Jun 2023

University Hospital Centre for Emerging Viral Diseases named as a WHO collaborating center for epidemic and pandemic diseases

The World Health Organization (WHO), the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), yesterday formalized the designation of the University Hospital Centre for Emerging Viral Diseases as a WHO collaborating center for epidemic and pandemic diseases.

8 Jun 2023

North American arrival of A(H5N1) influenza raises concerns of potential pandemic outbreak

Rapid global expansion of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses in 2021, including reassortment with North American strains, highlights the need for proactive measures to combat their spread and mitigate the risk of a potential pandemic originating from these reassortants.

31 May 2023

Genetic change supercharged spread and severity of epizootic H5N1 avian influenza virus

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists discovered how the current epizootic H5N1 avian influenza virus (bird flu) gained new genes and greater virulence as it spread west.

30 May 2023

Study identifies two novel highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b.2

Researchers investigated the genetic origin, distribution patterns, and antigenicity of novel AIVs.

16 May 2023

What is the risk for symptomatic H5N1 virus infection in humans?

Researchers from the CDC reported on the recent outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus among domesticated and wild birds in 39 U.S. states and discussed the potential risks to humans.

27 Apr 2023

Study suggests the zoonotic-like avian H3N8 virus has limited efficiency for human-to-human transmission and is unlikely to cause severe disease in humans

Researchers demonstrated that the novel and avian hemagglutinin 3 neuraminidase 8 (H3N8) virus showed limited replication in explant cultures of lung and bronchial tissue.

27 Apr 2023

Deciphering immunological imprinting in the context of COVID-19

In a recent article published in the journal Immunity, researchers explained the concept of immunological imprinting and its underlying principles. They also discussed its potential role in the context of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines.

24 Apr 2023

Award-winning project uses INTEGRA pipettes for success in international genetic engineering competition

Students from the University of Groningen, Netherlands, enjoyed gold medal success at last year’s iGEM competition.

From INTEGRA Biosciences 13 Apr 2023

Could mink serve as an immediate host for Influenza A transmission?

A recent study discussed influenza A virus infections in minks, emphasizing their contribution/role as an intermediate host.

3 Apr 2023

Research reports spillover of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) into marine mammals in the northeastern United States

A recent study published in the United States (U.S.) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) journal Emerging Infectious Diseases reported the outbreak of the highly pathogenic hemagglutinin type 5 and neuraminidase type 1 (H5N1) avian influenza virus among New England gray and harbor seals in the United States (U.S.)

20 Mar 2023

H5N1 avian influenza found in stranded harbor porpoise

In a recent study published in the United States (U.S.) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, researchers from Sweden described the detection of the hemagglutinin type 5 and neuraminidase type 1 (H5N1) avian influenza virus in a stranded harbor porpoise, indicating a potential spillover of this highly pathogenic avian influenza virus into cetacean species.

20 Mar 2023

New influenza virus strain concocted in animals could be the cause of next human pandemic

The next pandemic that cascades through the human population could be caused by a new influenza virus strain concocted in animals, against which humans will have little to no immunity.

13 Mar 2023

U.S. not prepared for future spread of animal-borne or zoonotic diseases, analysis reveals

The United States, the largest importer of wildlife in the world, is not prepared for future spread of animal-borne, or zoonotic, diseases due to gaps among governmental agencies designed to combat these threats, concludes a new analysis by researchers at Harvard Law School and New York University.

16 Feb 2023

Study characterizes mutations in neuraminidase of human-like H5N1 influenza viruses

A study published in PLOS PATHOGENS describes the prevalence and functions of mutations in neuraminidase enzyme of avian H5N1 influenza viruses that are preferentially selected in human H5N1 influenza viruses.

7 Feb 2023

H5N1

Overview

Bird Flu (H5N1) Genetics

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