What would it take for the bird flu virus to spark a pandemic? New study has clues
Briefly

from www.npr.org2 months ago
"A bird flu infection starts when a protein on the virus binds to a receptor on the cell it wants to take over. Luckily, the version of H5N1 spreading in cattle has not evolved to target the receptors that dominate upper airways in humans."
www.npr.orghttps://www.npr.org/2024/12/05/nx-s1-5215962/what-would-it-take-for-the-bird-flu-virus-to-spark-a-pandemic-new-study-has-clues
"For many years, Paulson and his collaborator, Ian Wilson, also at Scripps, have tracked how other dangerous influenza viruses have made this leap. They wanted to know - could this happen with the latest bird flu virus?"
www.npr.orghttps://www.npr.org/2024/12/05/nx-s1-5215962/what-would-it-take-for-the-bird-flu-virus-to-spark-a-pandemic-new-study-has-clues
"Wilson says all it took was one mutation in the right spot. They were expecting from previous research it might take three. That was really quite surprising and concerning because it raises the odds of this happening."
www.npr.orghttps://www.npr.org/2024/12/05/nx-s1-5215962/what-would-it-take-for-the-bird-flu-virus-to-spark-a-pandemic-new-study-has-clues
Read at www.npr.org
#bird-flu #viral-mutation #pandemic-risk #public-health #influenza-research
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