Bird Flu Mutations Worry Experts, Current Treatments Still Effective

Researchers at Texas Biomed have identified nine mutations in a strain of bird flu found in a person in Texas that makes it more deadly and efficient at replicating in the human brain. However, current approved antiviral treatments remain effective against this strain.

A team of scientists has discovered a new strain of bird flu that is more virulent and adaptable than previously thought. The H5N1 strain, which is commonly found in wild birds, has recently spread to dairy cows and has begun infecting humans, mostly farm workers, with mild illness and eye inflammation.

While the majority of people infected experience mild symptoms, experts are concerned about the potential for the virus to evolve further and potentially transmit from person to person. The Texas Biomed team is working on developing prophylactic vaccines and therapeutic antivirals to combat the spread of the disease.

In a recent study, researchers compared the H5N1 strain isolated from a human patient with one found in dairy cattle and found that the human strain had nine distinct mutations not present in the bovine strain. These mutations made the virus more efficient at replicating in human cells and causing severe disease in mice.

Fortunately, the team discovered that current FDA-approved antiviral medications remain effective against both strains of the virus. However, experts emphasize the need for vigilance and continued research to address the growing concern about the H5N1 strain’s potential to spread rapidly among humans.

The discovery highlights the importance of a “One Health” approach to protecting both animals and people from bird flu. Dr. Luis Martinez-Sobrido, lead researcher on the project, emphasized the need for stringent quarantine measures, thorough decontamination of equipment, and further research into the virus’s transmission dynamics.

Source: https://scitechdaily.com/first-u-s-h5n1-death-sparks-urgency-scientists-warn-that-bird-flu-is-mutating-faster-than-expected