By continuing to browse our website, you agree to the storing of first- and third-party cookies and related technologies on your device to enhance site access and navigation, analyze site usage, authenticate users, facilitate transactions, and assist in our marketing efforts. Please read our privacy notice to learn more.
UNMC_Acronym_Vert_sm_4c
University of Nebraska Medical Center

How vulnerable might humans be to bird flu? Scientists see hope in existing immunity

NPR Bird flu has ripped through the animal kingdom for the past few years now, killing countless birds and crossing into an alarming number of mammals.

Yet people remain largely untouched.

Even though the official tally of human cases in the U.S. is most certainly an undercount, there’s still no evidence this strain of H5N1 has spread widely among us. But if the virus gains certain mutations, scientists fear it could trigger another pandemic.

This prospect has propelled research into whether our defenses built up from past flu seasons can offer any protection against H5N1 bird flu.

Continue reading

twitter facebook bluesky email print

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.