NEWS: Deadly 1918 Spanish Flu Recreated By Scientists Found To Be Avian Flu

Originally posted by soficrow

Originally posted by SourGrapes

....the 1918 virus was an avian strain that managed to adapt to humans without first acquiring any genes from existing human flu viruses.

Thanks SG. ...and that's the kicker, isn't it? Bird flu does NOT need to acquire genes from human flu viruses to infect humans...

That's the thing. The H5N1 is void of any human flu gene. If it were to combine with a human flu gene then it would (most likely) become less lethal; however, the mutation is unlikely. Possible, but not likely to happen.

The way I understand it is to picture two different animals species mating. You wouldn't (not that I know of) see a dog and a cat mate (combine) to produce a catdog. At least this is the way I understand it. I looked for reference, but can't find it right now.

We also do not know how easily it will spread in H2H. Now that it's confirmed H2H, let's hope the researchers can come up with answers very quick!