According to the World Health Organization (WHO), analysis results of H5N1 virus samples from two victims in Turkey have shown a mutation in one gene. However, it is still too early to conclude whether this mutation is significant.
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A worker capturing ducks for culling in a small village near the eastern town of Dogubayazit, Turkey |
The identified mutation, found in one of the two tested samples, allows H5N1 to attach to human cells more easily than to avian cells. This change suggests that the virus could potentially infect humans more readily than it currently does.
Virologist Mike Perdue from the WHO stated: ”We believe this could be a small step in the virus’s effort to adapt to humans. However, this mutation has only been detected in one individual, making it difficult to draw immediate conclusions.”
Perdue added that the WHO is not concerned about the aforementioned mutation. The reason is that this mutation was previously identified in Hong Kong in 2003 and in Vietnam in 2005.
This mutation did not affect the progression of avian influenza, the behavior of the virus, or the mode of transmission to humans.
Influenza viruses often mutate rapidly, and experts must monitor these changes regularly. Many mutations are inconsequential or occur in only a small group of virus samples. Nevertheless, experts are closely monitoring H5N1 to detect any significant mutations as early as possible.
Meanwhile, the number of H5N1 cases in Turkey has risen sharply in a short time, and the cause is under investigation. As of January 13, the number of H5N1 infections increased from 15 to 18.
All these victims likely had close contact with infected poultry. Samples from some individuals are being sent to the UK for analysis.
