Researchers at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have examined the genetic makeup of over 2000 different viruses, originating from birds, humans, and other animal species.
The findings, published in the journal Science, reveal significant differences between avian flu and seasonal flu in humans.
These differences may be the reason behind fatalities associated with avian influenza.
Currently, the H5N1 avian influenza virus, prevalent in the Far East, Central Asia, and Turkey, is a highly lethal strain. Up to half of those infected with this virus succumb to the illness.
However, this virus does not spread widely. Concerns about the emergence of a new, more transmissible variant have been overshadowed by the hope that this virus is becoming less dangerous.
Nevertheless, recent research indicates that the situation may not be as optimistic.
Transmission relies on protein components present in the virus’s outer shell, specifically the H and N components used to name the virus. Researchers have discovered changes in another molecule known as NS1, which could alter the virus.
A small portion of NS1 in the avian influenza virus can affect cellular functions.
This component is absent in seasonal human flu viruses.
Notably, in all cases tested for the ability to infect with the H5N1 virus in humans, the destructive component was present, including in virus samples responsible for approximately 30 million deaths during the 1918 pandemic.
Currently, there are concerns that the avian influenza virus could mutate to become more easily transmissible without affecting the NS1 protein component, thus maintaining its lethal danger as before.
