Rapidly evolving bird flu outbreak poses deadly threat, warn experts.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The Jerusalem Post
A new study published in Nature Communications found that the ongoing outbreak of avian influenza has been marked by rapid genetic changes and highly increased virulence in both birds and mammals. The virus gained a different version of a viral protein called neuraminidase, which increased its ability to transmit between birds, before arriving in Canada and then spreading to the rest of the Americas. The virus also became more severe since it spread to the Americas, with ferrets infected with samples of the virus experiencing rapid weight loss, lethargy and severe neurologic symptoms such as paralysis and impaired muscle control. While the virus is still low-risk to humans, the scientists stressed that the increased pathogenicity of the virus is "of significant concern."