2) We would first like to take a step back, and remember that the circulation of H*N* is an ancient story :
Fig. Possible origins of pandemic influenza viruses. Phylogenetic studies suggest that an avian influenza virus was transmitted to humans, leading to the 1918 pandemic
3) For the H5N1 that we have been following for a long time, the clade we are currently talking about emerged in 2021 !
4) To understand how we got here, I recommend also the very well done document from the CDC : cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/tβ¦
6) ...with very well done graphics on structure of influenza A virus virions or the models for the generation of pandemic influenza virus strains in pigs.
7) Contrary to what we have read recently, the risk is not in the transmission of the virus from animals to humans, but in a mutation of the virus allowing transmission between humans.
Except we are only 1 mutation away from this happening π€
8) It is very likely that this could happen with the PB2 protein, which is one of the 3 polymerase proteins (PB2, PB1, PA) that make up the influenza virus.
A mutation in this protein could help compensate for insufficient human adaptation of H5N1 journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/jvβ¦
9) It is this PB2 adaptation that we must follow closely
13) In conclusion of this 1st part, for my friends @0bj3ctivity
@GourlaySyd @DavidJoffe64
@Alitis__ who pushed me to write this thread π€ and for those who follow me,
π¨π€π’π ππ€π€π ππ£π πππ π£ππ¬π¨:
βΆοΈ Good news : Egypt, for example, succeeded to manage in 2014 ...
@0bj3ctivity @GourlaySyd @DavidJoffe64 @Alitis__ 14) ...by eliminating all contaminated animals (sorry for animal lovers). This was possible because the infectivity rate is similar to other influenza viruses. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/Pβ¦
@0bj3ctivity @GourlaySyd @DavidJoffe64 @Alitis__ 15) βΆοΈ Bad news : A study that has just been published despite many limitations, shows that cats have died after drinking contaminated milk. If it is confirmed (and I would have been wrong as I didn't believe it) we will no longer have to drink raw milk. wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/30β¦
@0bj3ctivity @GourlaySyd @DavidJoffe64 @Alitis__ 16) βΆοΈ Good news : we haven't yet found the mutation, that would allow the transmission between humans has not been found
βΆοΈ Bad news : If mortality rate is lower, it is because the nb of cases is underestimated. It means H5N1 already circulates already in humans.
A bientot πββοΈ
β’ β’ β’
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2) This study looked at different ways to detect COVID-19 in a building. The researchers tested air, surfaces, and wastewater to see which methods could best detect the virus.
They placed air samplers in the lobby of a dorm where students with COVID-19 were isolating.
3) The air samples showed higher virus levels when students with COVID-19 were present.
The researchers also collected air samples from the building's rooftop exhaust, swabbed high-touch surfaces, and tested the building's wastewater.
2) The H5N1 bird flu virus has been spreading rapidly since 2020. An important change is that the neuraminidase (NA) protein on this virus now has a longer "stalk" region.
In the past, most H5N1 viruses had a shorter NA stalk.
3) But the current clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 viruses mostly have the longer NA stalk.
The longer NA stalk may make these H5N1 viruses more able to spread between mammals, including potentially between humans.
What an UNFORTUNATE CHOICE of WORD it is to REFER to the term βVARIANTβ in relation to SARS-CoV-2.
No one would think to call Prince William a "variant" or a mere variation of Queen Elizabeth; he shares the same family and lineage. That's all.
2) I wanted to use this analogy to highlight the significant differences in pathogenicity and transmission among the Alpha, Delta, and Omicron variants, as demonstrated by a recent study published in Nature. nature.com/articles/s4429β¦
3) By suggesting that the various lineages of SARS-CoV-2 consist of only minor mutations in the Spike proteinβwhile overlooking the other proteinsβand by using the term "soup of variants," which I consistently contest, we diminish the profound changes ...
2) Viruses like SARS-CoV-2 have proteins on their surface called spike proteins. These spike proteins help the virus attach to and enter human cells. The spike proteins are heavily coated with sugar molecules called glycans.
3) Researchers have developed a synthetic molecule called IDS060 that can bind to these glycans on the spike protein. This binding prevents the virus from attaching to human cells, blocking infection.
WHEN and WHERE was the H5N1 influenza A virus (genotype D1.1) DISCOVERED ?
A very interesting article from
@LouiseHMoncla @angie_rasmussen @MichaelWorobey @PeacockFlu and colleagues virological.org/t/timing-and-mβ¦
2) The H5N1 influenza A virus (genotype D1.1) was discovered in dairy cattle in Churchill County, Nevada, on January 31, 2025. The detection followed a routine surveillance program, where bulk milk samples were collected from dairy processing plant silos on January 6 and 7, 2025.
3) These samples tested positive for the virus on January 10.
Investigations revealed that the virus likely jumped from birds to cattle sometime between late October 2024 and early January 2025 ...
What makes VIRUSES like Herpes, Epstein-Barr, Flu, H1N1, H5N1 and HIV so EFFECTIVE at INFECTING the BRAIN ?
Viruses can infect and damage the brain, leading to conditions like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, schizophrenia, and depression link.springer.com/article/10.100β¦
2) Some Viruses are able to successfully infect the brain for a few key reasons:
βΆοΈ Direct Brain Entry: Some viruses can directly enter the brain through the nose or other pathways, allowing them to directly infect brain cells.
3) βΆοΈ Evading Immunity: Certain viruses can hide from or suppress the immune system, enabling them to persist in the brain undetected.
βΆοΈ Breaching the Blood-Brain Barrier: Viruses can damage the protective barrier between the brain and bloodstream ...