Cited 47 times since 2013 (4.4 per year) source: EuropePMC Virus research, Volume 178, Issue 1, 13 2 2013, Pages 15-20 Transmission of influenza A/H5N1 viruses in mammals. Imai M, Herfst S, Sorrell EM, Schrauwen EJ, Linster M, De Graaf M, Fouchier RA, Kawaoka Y
Highly pathogenic avian H5N1 influenza A viruses occasionally infect humans and cause severe respiratory disease and fatalities. Currently, these viruses are not efficiently transmitted from person to person, although limited human-to-human transmission may have occurred. Nevertheless, further adaptation of avian H5N1 influenza A viruses to humans and/or reassortment with human influenza A viruses may result in aerosol transmissible viruses with pandemic potential. Although the full range of factors that modulate the transmission and replication of influenza A viruses in humans are not yet known, we are beginning to understand some of the molecular changes that may allow H5N1 influenza A viruses to transmit via aerosols or respiratory droplets among mammals. A better understanding of the biological basis and genetic determinants that confer transmissibility to H5N1 influenza A viruses in mammals is important to enhance our pandemic preparedness.
