Study Finds Bird Flu Viruses Resist Fever, Increasing Risk to Humans

New research by the Universities of Cambridge and Glasgow shows that bird flu viruses can survive at higher temperatures than human flu viruses, making them harder for the body to stop during fever. The study found that a viral gene, PB1, helps avian flu withstand fever-level temperatures, explaining why some past pandemics were severe.

Experiments in mice showed that fever effectively slows human-origin flu but not avian strains. Scientists warn that gene swapping between human and bird flu viruses could create more dangerous variants. Researchers stress the need to monitor bird flu strains closely for pandemic preparedness.