
Gene Changes Made This Season's Bird Flu More Severe
FRIDAY, June 2, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Genetic mutations caused this latest bird flu season to become more severe, increasing the risk it poses to humans and other mammals, a new study finds.
The H5N1 avian influenza virus gained the ability to severely infect the brains of mammalian test subjects like ferrets, researchers with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital found.
That’s a notable departure from previous strains of the virus, the researchers said.
Full Article