Overview
- A Science study led by Cambridge and Glasgow shows avian-origin PB1 lets influenza viruses replicate at fever temperatures in mice, a tolerance not seen with human-adapted strains.
- Experimental fever levels shut down replication of human-origin flu but did not stop avian influenza, helping explain why bird flu can cause severe disease in mammals.
- Researchers note avian PB1 segments entered human strains in the 1957 and 1968 pandemics, reinforcing calls to track PB1-like traits in surveillance.
- Washington state reported the first human H5N5 infection and death, confirmed by UW Medicine and the CDC, with no evidence of person-to-person transmission and contacts under monitoring.
- Experts describe the probability of a human pandemic as low, citing readiness with vaccine candidates, antivirals, and genomic monitoring, while cautioning that any change to fever treatment guidance requires further research.