The H5N1 strain has been circulating across the vast expanse of the Earth for more than a decade, occasionally causing human fatalities. H5N1 has already proven its killing capabilities. More than half of the 600 people who were infected have died. But in almost all cases, their infection was due to contact with birds. H5N1 […]
Human infections with a new avian influenza A (H7N9) virus continue to be reported in China. The virus has been detected in poultry in China as well. While mild illness in human cases has been seen, most patients have had severe respiratory illness and some people have died. The only case identified outside of China […]
Research demonstrated that the H7N9 virus was able to attach both in the upper and in the lower parts of the respiratory tract. Based on what is known from other influenza viruses, attachment to the upper part is important for efficient transmission. The ability to also attach to the lower parts of the respiratory tract, […]
With the current knowledge about influenza viruses in humans and animals, as well as the mechanisms that underlie the emergence of new pandemic viruses, it is reasonable to expect that also in the future influenza pandemics will emerge. However the unprecedented increase of our understanding of processes that determine the emergence of influenza viruses with […]
Wild birds are the natural hosts of influenza A viruses. In principle, all subtypes of influenza A viruses can be found in them. Typically, little or no disease is caused by infection of wild birds with these avian influenza viruses, which are therefore called low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) viruses. However, when LPAI viruses of […]