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

US study uncovers antiviral resistance in swine-origin influenza, urging enhanced pandemic surveillance

Researchers in the US analyzed swine-origin influenza viruses, identifying key mutations that could reduce antiviral drug effectiveness and threaten pandemic preparedness.

9 Oct 2024

FAU researchers highlight new vaccination barriers

Vaccines to prevent common and serious infectious diseases have had a greater impact on improving human health than any other medical advance of the 20th century, surpassing even sanitation and potable water. From the global eradication of smallpox in 1980 to the unprecedented development of effective and safe mRNA vaccines for COVID-19, vaccinations have played crucial roles in preventing millions of premature deaths and hospitalizations in adults and children.

8 Oct 2024

Pasteurization effectively reduces H5N1 virus in milk but further testing is essential

Research explores the resilience of the H5N1 influenza virus in milk under pasteurization conditions, showing effective viral inactivation at standard temperatures but highlighting the need for further real-world testing.

6 Oct 2024

Global experts gather in Brisbane for scientific meeting dedicated to influenza

More than 1,400 experts have visited Brisbane for the world's only scientific meeting dedicated to influenza.

4 Oct 2024

H5N1 bird flu is mutating fast and jumping to mammals - could the next pandemic be here?

Researchers reveal how H5N1 viruses rapidly adapted to mammals through genetic reassortment and specific mutations, raising concerns over potential pandemic risks. Evidence from mink, marine mammals, and dairy cattle shows mammal-to-mammal transmission.

25 Sep 2024

Study reveals gaps in outbreak detection resources in Asia

A landmark study led by Duke-NUS Medical School revealed that despite the recent pandemic, outbreak detection efforts remain under-resourced in South and Southeast Asia, with only about half the countries reviewed having integrated pathogen genomic surveillance initiatives in their national plans.

24 Sep 2024

Review highlights failures in global control strategies for bird flu transmission

A review of sustained mammal-to-mammal bird flu transmission in diverse species, led by The Pirbright Institute, shows global control strategies are not working.

24 Sep 2024

Wastewater surveillance detects influenza and H5 viruses from human and animal sources

Wastewater surveillance reveals influenza A and H5 subtype detections, providing critical insights into public health risks from both human and animal sources during the ongoing HPAI A(H5N1) outbreak.

24 Sep 2024

Progress made in negotiations for global pandemic prevention agreement

Government-led negotiations on the world's first agreement to protect people from future pandemics made significant progress during the latest round of discussions that ended today at the World Health Organization (WHO).

20 Sep 2024

Seabirds' food-stealing behavior may facilitate spread of deadly avian flu

The deadly H5N1 avian influenza virus, which has killed millions of birds worldwide since 2021 – and in rare cases can be transmitted to humans – may be spread through the food-stealing behaviour of some seabirds.

16 Sep 2024

Avian influenza detected in Texas wastewater samples

Avian influenza A(H5N1) virus, which spread to cattle and infected 14 people this year, was detected using virome sequencing in the wastewater of 10 Texas cities by researchers at UTHealth Houston and Baylor College of Medicine.

12 Sep 2024

Chinese farmed fur animals found to harbor dozens of novel viruses

Researchers identified 125 virus species in Chinese farmed fur animals, including 36 novel viruses with significant zoonotic potential, emphasizing the need for enhanced surveillance to prevent future pandemics.

9 Sep 2024

A call for robust H5N1 influenza preparedness and response

As the global threat of H5N1 influenza looms with outbreaks across species and continents including the U.S., three international vaccine and public health experts say it is time to fully resource and support a robust strategy to address this and future potential pandemic influenza threats, including to consider voluntary vaccination for those now at exposure risk.

5 Sep 2024

With only gloves to protect them, farmworkers say they tend sick cows amid bird flu

In early August, farmworkers gathered under a pavilion at a park here for a picnic to celebrate Farmworker Appreciation Day. One sign that this year was different from the others was the menu: Beef fajitas, tortillas, pico de gallo, chips, beans — but no chicken.

27 Aug 2024

Octavalent intranasal flu vaccine proves effective in neutralizing both existing and emerging strains

A new octavalent intranasal vaccine shows promising results in providing broad immunity against both seasonal and pre-pandemic influenza strains by eliciting strong mucosal and systemic immune responses in ferrets.

25 Aug 2024

Universal flu vaccine candidate provides protection against severe infection in animal models

Annual flu vaccines protect against severe infection, but they vary in efficacy and may not match the most virulent strains of the season.

23 Aug 2024

Virginia Tech leads national initiative to predict and prevent future pandemics

Viruses like SARS-CoV-2 don't respect boundaries, moving between species and continents and leaving destruction as they go. Beating the next pathogen with pandemic potential means getting good at crossing borders ourselves -; between fields of study, between research universities, and between scientists and the wider community.

23 Aug 2024

Study reveals how avian flu adapts to mammalian cells

In recent years, public health measures, surveillance, and vaccination have helped bring about significant progress in reducing the impact of seasonal flu epidemics, caused by human influenza viruses A and B.

19 Aug 2024

H5N1 avian flu found in Texas dairy cattle and milk, sparking concerns about underreported infections

Researchers at UTMB found H5N1 avian influenza virus in Texas dairy cattle and milk, highlighting potential underreporting of infections among farm workers and the need for better surveillance.

4 Aug 2024

Study reveals new H5N1 variants evade human antibodies more effectively

In a new study led by UNC Charlotte researchers from the Center for Computational Intelligence to Predict Health and Environmental Risks (CIPHER) and the North Carolina Research Campus at Kannapolis, University scholars have found evidence that the latest variants of H5N1 influenza -; commonly known as avian or bird flu -; are better at evading antibodies, including those of humans, than previous iterations of the virus.

2 Aug 2024