Scripps Research Finds H5N1 Bird Flu Mutation Could Enable Human Transmission

Dec 5, 2024, 08:02 PM

Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have discovered that a single mutation in the H5N1 bird flu virus could enhance its ability to bind to human cells, potentially increasing the risk of human-to-human transmission. This finding, published in Science Magazine, underscores the importance of vigilant surveillance of the virus, especially given its spread through U.S. cattle herds. The mutation could make the virus more adept at latching onto human cells, raising concerns about its potential to become a significant public health threat. Three cases of human contamination with H5N1 have already been detected in North America, though the origins of these infections remain unclear.