How do we know when an animal virus might pose a risk to humans? Canada confirmed a human case of H5N1 avian influenza (often called “bird flu”) in 2024, the first ever known to have been acquired in Canada. The patient, a thirteen-year-old British Columbian, suffered severe symptoms including respiratory failure but recovered with intensive care in hospital.
Uncovering insights into how pathogens can switch from animals to humans — as in this human case of bird flu — can help researchers and public health agencies prepare for future outbreaks. In a recent study, our lab examined viral mutations in this case and uncovered an unexpected result: the effects of these mutations were inconsistent with the usual warning signs we expect to see in a virus adapted to infect humans.
