Scientists Develop Rapid Bird Flu Detector for Airborne Test

SATURDAY, March 15, 2025 (HealthDay News) -- Scientists have created a handheld sensor that can quickly detect bird flu (H5N1) in the air, potentially stopping outbreaks before they spread.

Research published recently in the journal ACS Sensors noted the sensor is low-cost, highly sensitive and works within minutes.

Bird flu spreads when infected respiratory droplets are inhaled by birds or animals.

While lab-based tests like PCR are effective, they require complex sample preparation. A faster, simpler method could help detect the virus before outbreaks occur.

A research team led by Rajan Chakrabarty, leader of the Aerosol Interdisciplinary Research (AIR) group at Washington University, developed the sensor using electrochemical capacitive biosensor (ECB) technology. 

The device features a thin network of nanocrystals and graphene oxide, with special probes that attach to bird flu viral particles. 

A built-in air sampler collects airborne virus droplets and turns them into a liquid sample. 

When the virus binds to the sensor, it changes the device’s ability to hold an electrical charge, allowing scientists to measure virus levels.

In tests, the ECB sensor detected H5N1 within five minutes. It was sensitive enough to identify just 93 viral copies per 35 cubic feet of air, a level that the researchers say should be “sensitive enough to detect the presence of H5N1 below the virus’ infectious dose," according to a news release.

Chakrabarty and his team are convinced that this new sensor could provide real-time, noninvasive monitoring for both animals and humans

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on the current bird flu outbreak.

SOURCE: American Chemical Society, news release, March 7, 2025