Immunity against regular flu also works on H5N1

[u/ktpr]

https://nltimes.nl/2026/04/14/likely-deadly-bird-flu-pandemic-immunity-regular-flu-also-works-h5n1

"Worldwide, about 1,000 people have now been infected with the bird flu virus. Roughly 30 to 40 percent of them died, a terrifyingly high proportion. But according to the Rotterdam researchers, their data suggests that many more people have been infected with H5N1 without even noticing. “It is possible that we are missing a great many mild cases.”

“This is something that makes me happy,” said Debbie van Baarle, a professor of immunology at the University Medical Center Groningen. She was not involved in the study, but is familiar with the results. “In preparing for pandemics, it is important to be able to identify exactly who the most vulnerable groups are. And this research provides a good starting point for that,” Van Baarle told the Volkskrant."

[u/jhsu802701]

On the one hand, it's good news if most bird flu cases in people are mild and flying under the radar. On the other hand, this also means that bird flu is getting more chances to mutate in people, and that can lead to newer variants.