It has become known which virus could cause a new pandemic.

The H5N1 bird flu virus is becoming unrecognizable to mammalian immunity

Scientists from the University of North Carolina have found that the H5N1 bird flu virus is changing in such a way that the immune system of mammals cannot recognize it. According to the researchers, these mutations could lead to the transmission of the virus from human to human, which poses a serious threat to the world. This was reported by the American journal eBioMedicine.

Antibodies that recognize and fight the H5N1 virus are becoming less effective. This means that new strains of the virus will be harder to control and overcome. The adaptation of the virus to new conditions leads to a decrease in the effectiveness of vaccines that were developed against older variants of H5N1. The spread of bird flu among different species of birds and animals indicates the need for the development of new effective vaccines.

Due to the outbreak of bird flu, farmers in the USA have had to cull thousands of birds, leading to record increases in egg prices. Recently, the price of eggs in the USA has risen significantly due to supply shortages and the culling of poultry. Previously, egg prices did not exceed $2 per dozen, but now they are very high.

In Ontario, Canada, 350 cases of measles have been reported. Of these, 173 cases occurred in the last few weeks. In addition, 31 people have been hospitalized due to severe forms of the disease.