Scientists are sounding the alarm: According to a recent study, the H5N1 virus, better known as bird flu, only needs a single mutation to bind more efficiently to human cells. Is the world really on the brink of a new pandemic?
The H5N1 bird flu virus, currently found mainly in American dairy cows, excluding birds, is poised to become a major threat to humans, according to a new study.
As part of a study for the renowned journal ‘Science’, scientists have discovered that just one genetic mutation may be enough to make it easier to bind to human cells. This could set the stage for transmission between people – a potential scenario for a global pandemic.
“It’s scary how quickly the virus can adapt”
“It’s scary how quickly the virus was able to adapt,” explains James Paulson, one of the study authors and a biochemist at the Scripps Research Institute. In the experiment, the researchers found that a single mutation in the virus’s surface protein, called hemagglutinin, was enough to improve its ability to attach to human cells rather than bird bodies.
Although there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission so far, the danger remains real. Particularly critical: the virus already affects several animal species, such as wild birds, bears, foxes and marine mammals – and has recently also reached dairy cows. This widespread distribution increases the likelihood that the crucial mutation step will occur in nature.
Bird flu with pandemic potential
In recent years, the H5N1 virus has been known to cause severe respiratory disease because it preferentially attacks cells in the lower lungs. But the mutation tested in the current study could allow the virus to infect the upper respiratory tract. “This would make symptoms milder, but increase the risk of transmission through coughing and sneezing,” warns immunologist Jenna Guthmiller.
Particularly alarming: A recent case in Canada showed similar mutations in the virus from a teenager who was hospitalized in critical condition. Although scientists emphasize that further research is needed, many experts see this case as a warning sign.
“The magic we don’t want to see”
However, the researchers emphasize that attachment alone does not cause disease. For a pandemic to occur, several factors would have to come together, such as the virus’s ability to reproduce in the human body. “The magic we don’t want to see is all the factors coming together and the virus making the decisive leap,” Paulson said.
Given the potential danger, experts are calling for strict monitoring of mutations and precautions to prevent uncontrolled spread. “It’s never good news when a virus is just one mutation away from becoming a more efficient way to infect people,” Guthmiller summarizes.
Source: Krone
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