How can avian influenza viruses become pandemic?
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Avian influenza viruses can become pandemic through cross-species transmission from the animal reservoir to humans. This occurs when the viruses adapt to and invade an immunologically naive population. Factors that contribute to this transmission include the ability of the virus to attach to, enter, and replicate in the respiratory tract of the new host, as well as efficient spread between humans through aerosol or respiratory droplet transmission . Receptor incompatibility has been suggested as a barrier to interspecies transmission, but other host-pathogen factors also play a role . The presence of mutations that enhance efficient infection, replication, and spread in mammals increases the pandemic risk for humans . Surveillance and pandemic preparedness efforts are necessary to monitor and assess the viruses for potential adaptations that could lead to efficient airborne transmission . Sensitivity or resistance to host factors, such as BTN3A3, also contribute to the zoonotic potential of avian influenza viruses .
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| Papers (5) | Insight |
|---|---|
| Avian influenza viruses can become pandemic through cross-species transmission into humans, but factors determining which virus lineages are more likely to cross the species barrier are not fully understood. | |
52 Citations | Avian influenza viruses can become pandemic by acquiring the ability to attach to, enter, and replicate in the respiratory tract of humans, as well as efficiently spread between humans through aerosol or respiratory droplet transmission. |
111 Citations | Avian influenza viruses can become pandemic if they are able to spread efficiently from person-to-person, particularly via the airborne route. |
| Avian influenza viruses can become pandemic through interspecies transmission events from the avian reservoir to mammals, including humans. | |
| Avian influenza viruses can become pandemic by acquiring mutations that enhance their ability to infect, replicate, and spread in mammals, including humans. |
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