Potential Human Transmission of Bird Flu Sparks Concern

A recent study suggests that a single mutation in the H5N1 bird flu virus could enable it to spread between humans, potentially leading to a pandemic. This mutation would allow the virus to better attach to human airway cells, facilitating transmission through respiratory droplets. While H5N1 currently infects humans primarily through high concentrations from animals, the mutation could make human-to-human spread more likely. Researchers emphasize monitoring this mutation as H5N1 continues to circulate among animals and occasionally infects humans.