New mammal species enters human gene mutation equation in Germany:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
A lull in avian flu developments in Europe - since a spate of outbreaks in France recently put the EU on alert - has been broken by the discovery of the H5N1 virus in a new mammalian species in Germany. Although the infection of a stone marten has been attributed to contact with infected wild birds, the World Health Organization says it could indicate changes in the virus, which might facilitate human infection. "Further investigation is needed to determine whether evidence of H5N1 infection in new mammalian species has any significance for the risk of human infection or the potential of this virus to adapt to mammals, including humans," said the WHO.