This ‘minor’ bird flu strain has potential to spark human pandemic

Bird Flu Strain H9N2: A Potential Threat to Humans

A team of scientists has raised concerns about the H9N2 bird flu virus, which has adapted to human cells, posing a potential risk of a human pandemic.

Although attention has been focused on the H5N1 avian influenza virus, researchers emphasize the need for increased surveillance of the H9N2 virus.

The H9N2 virus has the potential to cause a human pandemic.

Experiments suggest that H9N2 has become better adapted to infect people, but person-to-person transmission cases have not been reported yet.

Authors recommend more surveillance to monitor the spread of the virus.

Author's summary: H9N2 bird flu virus poses pandemic risk.

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Nature Nature — 2025-10-27

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