New research helps explain why bird flu has not caused a pandemic

New research helps explain why bird flu has not caused a pandemic. Research suggests human to human transmission of H5 influenza viruses is unlikely - %0A " - Imperial College London News Release Under STRICT embargo until: - 17. PST, Wednesday 18 November - (01. GMT, Thursday 19 November) Bird flu viruses would have to make at least two simultaneous genetic mutations before they could be transmitted readily from human to human, according to research published today in - The authors of the new study, from Imperial College London, the University of Reading and the University of North Carolina, USA, argue that it is very unlikely that two genetic mutations would occur at the same time. Today's new study adds to our understanding of why avian influenza has not yet caused a pandemic. Earlier this year, the Imperial researchers also showed that avian influenza viruses do not thrive in humans because, at 32 degrees Celsius, the temperature inside a person's nose is too low. H5 strains of influenza are widespread in bird populations around the world.