What is the difference between H5N1 and H7N9?

Influenza A(H5N1) is a high pathogenicity strain for poultry, meaning that many poultry become ill and many die. Therefore, outbreaks in poultry rapidly become apparent. In contrast, A(H7N9) is a low pathogenicity strain and poultry do not become sick.

What happens if H5N1 is mutated?

Health officials are concerned though that the H5N1 virus could one day mutate into a form that could be spread between humans through coughs and sneezes through the air. This could, they fear, result in a lethal pandemic that could spread rapidly across the world killing tens of millions of people.

What does H stand for in H1N1?

The designation “H1N1” indicates unique traits, which exhibit characteristics that identify the virus to the immune system and allows for attachment and replication of the virus. The “H” (hemagglutinin) and the “N” (neuraminidases) are both proteins that are found on the outer shell or envelope of the virus.

What is the deadliest strain of flu?

Influenza A virus subtype H5N1
Virus classification
Family: Orthomyxoviridae
Genus: Alphainfluenzavirus
Species: Influenza A virus

What kind of virus is Hong Kong H5N1?

Hatta M, Gao P, Halfmann P, Kawaoka Y. Molecular basis for high virulence of Hong Kong H5N1 influenza A viruses, Science 298:1840-1842, 2001. Schultz-Cherry S, Dybdahl-Sissoko N, Neumann G, Kawaoka Y, Hinshaw VS. Influenza Virus NS1 Protein Induces Apoptosis in Cultured Cells. J Virol 2001 75: 7875-7881. Kobasa D, Wells K, KawaokaY.

How did Kawaoka and Fouchier achieve their goal?

Kawaoka’s team used a somewhat different approach to achieve the same goal as Fouchier. Kawaoka and colleagues introduced mutations in the hemagglutinin (HA) gene from an H5N1 virus and then combined it with seven genes from a 2009 H1N1 virus, creating a hybrid virus that was able to spread by air between ferrets.

Are there any mutant strains of H5N1 virus?

And N182K was found in a human H5N1 case. The scientists created three mutant H5N1 virus strains to launch their experiment: one containing N182K, one with Q222L and G2242, and one with all three changes, the report explains.

How did Ron Fouchier create the H5N1 virus?

In the lengthy report, Ron Fouchier, PhD, of Erasmus Medical Center in the Netherlands and colleagues describe how they used a combination of genetic engineering and serial infection of ferrets to create a mutant H5N1 virus that can spread among ferrets without direct contact.