Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1: history, current situation, and outlook
Florian Krammer, Enikő Hermann, Angela L. Rasmussen
Abstract
The H5N1 avian panzootic has resulted in cross-species transmission to birds and mammals, causing outbreaks in wildlife, poultry, and US dairy cattle with a range of host-dependent pathogenic outcomes. Although no human-to-human transmission has been observed, the rising number of zoonotic human cases creates opportunities for adaptive mutation or reassortment. This Gem explores the history, evolution, virology, and epidemiology of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 relative to its pandemic potential. Pandemic risk reduction measures are urgently required.
Topics & Concepts
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1BiologyReassortmentHighly pathogenicPandemicCladeOutbreakTransmission (telecommunications)VirologyWildlifeInfluenza A virusEpizootiologyBird fluPhylogenetic treeCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)VirusEcologyDiseaseGeneticsInfectious disease (medical specialty)GeneEngineeringMedicineElectrical engineeringPathologyInfluenza Virus Research StudiesAnimal Disease Management and EpidemiologyViral Infections and Vectors