New mutations help the H5N1 bird flu virus infect cows but not people
Published Apr 15, 2026
H5N1 bird flu viruses have acquired a molecular trick that makes them more easily infect mammary glands in cattle,
To infect cells, influenza viruses latch on to certain sugars decorating cell surfaces. Some H5N1 viruses have picked up mutations that allow them to grab one such sugar made by cattle but not by humans or birds, researchers report
LINK:
Science News H5N1 bird flu viruses have acquired a molecular trick that makes them more easily infect mammary glands in cattle, but this adaptation does not appear to affect humans. To infect cells…
SIDE-NOTE: I'm sure this what the study says is true...I'm certainly wary a mutation that can infect another species such as cows or bovine animals more easily.. although it may not infect humans directly right now according to the findings it still seems like a bad sign and just indicates further to me that this virus is indeed mutating and could very well mutate in other ways.
Just the mere fact the virus is mutating means it can and will continue to mutate in ways that may mean it could get closer to mutate and go human to human. Regardless this virus is mutating and adapting itself on different species...we know that much. I'm no scientist but I'm really thinking this avian flu vcould very well mutate and go human to human ...we shall see.
Maybe the title should read:
"New mutations help the H5N1 bird flu virus infect cows but
currently not people...
not quite yet anyway." By the way, women have mammary glands and can also produce milk under certain conditions. It's scary this virus is mutating to infect cows more.
This is just terrible as if all the culling of chickens isn't horrifying enough now more problems for our cattle? Oh man this is not looking good for the world. I can't believe the typical network news and politicians are completely numb to this issue. This could really cripple entire world this avian flu amongst poultry and cattle utter destruction and livestock shortage.
Just to counteract the fatalistic view that some things might be beyond our control I humbly ask to inspire hope what are farmers and animal handlers doing in the face of avian's flu existence? What protocols are in place and how can we prepare for this? How can we be proactive with this? In a sense the virus has and continues to adapt its behavior so in what ways have we adapted our behavior in farming and in our backyards?
...oh well, I should be okay because I wear a mask anyway. I don't believe in gambling... so my mask is on! I'm ready,
The Masked Man
