OREANDA-NEWS   Avian influenza (H5N1) may pose a much greater danger to humans than previously thought. Scientists from the University of Maryland School of Public Health conducted a review of the world's data for 20 years and warned that the virus is mutating and is transmitted between species — from birds to cats, from cows to cats, from cats to humans. The work was published in the journal Open Forum Infectious Diseases.

The authors emphasize that cats are extremely vulnerable to avian influenza: according to the analysis, half of the 607 reported infections in animals in 18 countries resulted in death. The virus can enter the body either directly by eating infected birds or raw meat, or indirectly through the milk of infected cows and contact with other mammals. At the same time, diagnosis in cats is extremely rare and often only postmortem.

The virus causes acute neurological symptoms similar to rabies. According to the researchers, the high mortality and prevalence of infection in domestic and agricultural conditions is particularly alarming. Scientists fear that outbreaks may affect shelters, and with further mutations, the virus will be transmitted by airborne droplets between people.

Earlier in April 2025, scientists introduced a nasal vaccine against H5N1. The new vaccine triggers an immune response right in the respiratory tract, where the virus enters the body.