National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA-CSIC)
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Senior scientist at the CSIC at the Animal Health Research Centre (CISA), National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA)
Head of the Epidemiology and Environmental Health research group at CISA, INIA-CSIC.
Researcher in the Department of Infectious Diseases and Global Health at the Centre for Animal Health Research CISA-INIA, CSIC
Senior scientist in the Biotechnology Department at INIA-CSIC
Senior scientist in the Department of Environment and Agronomy at the National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA-CSIC)
Scientist in the Epidemiology and Environmental Health research group at CISA, INIA-CSIC.
Researcher at the Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA-INIA/CSIC)
Senior Scientist at the Animal Health Research Centre (CISA) of the National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA-CSIC)
Scientific researcher at the Plant Protection Products Unit of the National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA-CSIC)
Although outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza have reached record numbers in recent years, human infections remain anecdotal. A study published today in Nature identifies a protein responsible for inhibiting the replication of this virus in humans, while 'human' flus are able to evade it. The authors propose that this protein with antiviral activity evolved in primates and consider that resistance or sensitivity to it should be taken into account when assessing the zoonotic potential of avian influenza viruses.
Analysis of the two asymptomatic cases of H5N1 avian influenza detected in Spain in autumn 2022 in workers at a poultry farm in Guadalajara has confirmed the theory that no actual infections occurred, but that both were in contact with genetic material of the virus found in the environment. Spain has recently modified its protocols, according to the analysis published in Eurosurveillance.
On 27 September, the National Microbiology Centre detected a positive H5N1 avian influenza in a worker at a poultry farm in Guadalajara (Castilla-La Mancha). The sample was taken on the 23rd and the affected person remained asymptomatic until he tested negative, according to Animal's Health.
In the first months of 2022, avian influenza has hit birds in Spain with unprecedented intensity. All outbreaks are now closed and the epidemiological situation is favourable, but we must not let our guard down. The risk of the virus jumping to humans is considered low.