News — Researchers at Texas Biomedical Research Institute (Texas Biomed) are studying potential vaccines, antivirals and antibodies against highly pathogenic avian influenza, including H5N1 strains that closely mirror the one recently detected in cows, chickens and one person in Texas.
This is only the second human case of H5N1 bird flu to be reported in the United States, which said was contracted through contact with dairy cows. The influenza subtype primarily infects wild birds and poultry, but has also spilled over into a variety of mammals. This is the first time the avian influenza A(H5N1) virus has been detected in cattle.
“Thankfully, the risk of the current H5N1 case becoming widespread among people remains low,” says , Texas Biomed President and CEO. “But viruses adapt and evolve – especially influenza viruses – which is why it is so critical to be studying them and developing vaccines and treatments well before they are needed.”
Texas Biomed has a team of virologists and immunologists with deep experience studying influenza viruses and very recently expanded its research scope to include highly pathogenic avian influenza. Researchers in Professor ’s laboratory received approval to work on highly pathogenic avian influenza in November 2023 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). After lab preparations and review, work began at the end of March to begin evaluating if existing vaccines, antivirals and antibodies are effective against avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses, including the strain now making headlines.
Since in 1996, there have been fewer than 900 cases of human bird flu infections reported around the world. Infection can cause a range of symptoms from mild to severe, with a fatality rate of about 50%.
This version of avian influenza A(H5N1) has been spreading around the globe in the past few years via transmission from migratory birds, the natural reservoir, to terrestrial and domestic birds. It has also been detected in a range of including mink, foxes, bears, seals, cats, dogs, goats and now cows.
“We still don’t know a lot about this virus, for example, what are the genetic determinants that enable this virus to transmit from avian hosts to other mammals?” says , a Staff Scientist in Professor Martinez-Sobrido’s lab. Dr. Elsayed has been studying avian influenza for 16 years and joined Texas Biomed in 2023. “We need to study this virus as a ‘One-Health’ approach to be able to face it.”
The researchers are applying advanced tools and techniques that they use to study viruses like seasonal influenza and SARS-CoV-2 to study avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses and evaluate potential interventions. The work takes place in a higher biosafety level laboratory, following protocols approved by federal biomedical research regulators.
“The analysis from the CDC indicates that the H5N1 strain found in the patient does not have any mutations associated with resistance to current antiviral drugs,” says Prof. Martinez-Sobrido. “However, it is important to continue developing an array of countermeasures in case existing ones lose effectiveness. This is also the first time an avian H5N1 virus has been found in cows and transmitted to humans and it will be important to understand why.”
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