03.12.2024

Nature Microbiology | 02 Dec 2024

A new study suggests that earlier A(H5N1) viruses lacked the ability for airborne transmission due to insufficient infectious shedding, rather than the absence of necessary adaptations. The research focuses on the shedding dynamics of Influenza A(H5N1) viruses in ferrets, examining how these viruses transmit through the air and their implications for mammalian hosts. Using air-sampling techniques, the study measures the presence of infectious virus particles expelled by ferrets, offering valuable insights into the transmission efficiency of various viral strains. The findings reveal that the shedding kinetics of these viruses in the air closely align with data from ferret-to-ferret transmission studies.
This indicates that the amount of viral RNA detected in the air could serve as a proxy for transmission efficiency. Among the viruses tested, the human A(H1N1)pdm virus exhibited the highest levels of viral RNA in the air, suggesting a greater potential for airborne transmission compared to the A(H5N1) strains analyzed. Overall, the study advances the understanding of influenza virus transmission dynamics and underscores the importance of monitoring viral shedding patterns, particularly in the context of zoonotic diseases.