A groundbreaking study published on Friday in the journal Science has uncovered that a single mutation in the hemagglutinin (HA) protein of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus could potentially enable easier transmission among humans. This discovery raises significant concerns for global public health.
Currently, strains of the H5N1 virus circulating in U.S. dairy cows are not known to be transmissible among humans. However, there have been instances of human infections linked to exposure to infected wild birds, poultry, dairy cows, and other mammals. This new mutation, a single glutamine to leucine change at residue 226 of the HA protein, was found to shift the virus's binding specificity from avian to human-type cell receptors.
Scientists at Scripps Research conducted the study using the H5N1 strain isolated from the first U.S. human infection with the cow strain 2.3.4.4b. Their findings emphasize the critical need for continued, vigilant surveillance and monitoring of HPAI H5N1 for potential genetic changes that could increase the virus's transmissibility in humans.
The research was funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), underscoring the importance of ongoing support for studies that monitor and assess the threats posed by avian influenza viruses.
Experts warn that even minor genetic alterations in viruses like H5N1 can have profound implications for public health, making it essential to maintain robust surveillance systems to detect and respond to such changes promptly.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
