Bird flu virus mutation threat to humans: IISc

INDIAN Institute of Science (IISc) researchers have found that the H5N1 (bird flu) virus can be a potential threat to humans due to specific mutations, suggesting enhanced and proactive surveillance measures which need to be implemented against infections by the H5N1 virus.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Bengaluru

The researchers, led by Kesavardhana Sannula, Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, IISc, have discovered that the currently circulating 2.3.4.4b clade (representing a group of organisms having a common ancestor) of H5N1 has specific mutations in its genome that increase its human adaptive potential.

"This clade is acquiring the same key mutations that pandemic human influenza strains possess, which could be a growing risk," said Ranjana Nataraj, Project Associate at the Department of Biochemistry and the study's first author.