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[The CIVIS Newsroom ](https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom) 2. Scientists track adaptation of bird flu in dairy cattle Scientists track adaptation of bird flu in dairy cattle ======================================================= 18 décembre 2025 The H5N1 avian influenza virus – commonly known as bird flu – has been causing outbreaks in dairy cows in the United States since March 2024. Now, scientists studying the adaptation of the avian H5N1 viruses to cows, have found that some of the more recent variants are more able to infect cow cells and tissues than some older variants. ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/bird-flu.jpg)photo: CanvaThe study, led by scientists at the MRC–University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, examined a large panel of viruses representing over 60 years of H5N1 evolution. The researchers say their findings highlight the urgent need for continued testing and monitoring, especially as the virus continues to spread in dairy cattle and remains a potential pandemic threat. > *Influenza viruses are constantly changing, and this rapid evolution allows them to infect new animal species. The better adapted they become to infect mammals, the more chances they have to infect and adapt to humans – as we saw with the 2009 swine flu pandemic”*, said professor Pablo Murcia, from the MRC–University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research. Potential risk for the virus to reach the humans ------------------------------------------------ The study showed that the ability of H5N1 viruses to infect cow cells and mammary tissue is not controlled by multiple viral genes and depends on changes that viruses have acquired gradually over time. The researchers also found that bird flu viruses vary widely in how well they can replicate in cow cells. This means some bird viruses may already be closer than others to being able to infect cattle and potentially other mammals. > *Our work shows that different bird flu viruses have very different abilities to infect cow cells and tissues. While the strain currently spreading in US cattle is clearly the best adapted so far, there are other bird viruses that could potentially infect cows if given the chance”,* added professor Massimo Palmarini, from both the Erasmus Medical Centre and the MRC–University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research. The discovery of H5N1 in cows in spring 2024 came as a major surprise, as flu viruses were not previously thought to cause outbreaks in cattle. However, H5N1 is known for its ability to spillover in mammals, raising concerns that it could spread further into other animal species. As the virus continues to circulate and adapt in mammals, there is a risk that new strains could emerge that are better able to infect humans. This underlines the importance of ongoing surveillance in domestic animals, including livestock. The study, called ‘*The potential of H5N1 viruses to adapt to bovine cells varies throughout evolution’* is [published in Nature Communications](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-67234-1). **Find out more from the** [**original story.**](https://www.gla.ac.uk/news/headline_1229974_en.html) ### Latest Highlights: [*University of Salzburg wins Internationalisation Award for Staff Mobility and Development*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/university-of-salzburg-wins-internationalisation-award-for-staff-mobility-and-development) [*Astronomers discover a superheated star factory in the early universe*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/astronomers-discover-a-superheated-star-factory-in-the-early-universe) [*The University of Tübingen was awarded the 2025 Baden-Württemberg state Teaching Prize*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/the-university-of-tubingen-awarded-the-2025-baden-wurttemberg-state-teaching-prize) [*Cutting-edge research at Stockholm University on MOFs, Nobel Prize-Winning Materials*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/cutting-edge-research-at-stockholm-university-on-mofs-nobel-prize-winning-materials) [*NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte pays a visit to the University of Bucharest and talks to the students*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/nato-secretary-general-mark-rutte-pays-a-visit-to-the-university-of-bucharest-and-talks-to-the-students) Related news ------------ - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/civis-show-800x600.jpg?token=d33226425fc5127a5aad705fb2a9144c)Sept années de CIVIS : d'un projet ambitieux à une communauté universitaire florissante Communication and Dissemination 17 septembre 2026 ](https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom/seven-years-of-civis-from-an-ambitious-project-to-a-thriving-academic-community) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/civis-3i-800x600.jpg?token=cdaaf78fd06e8e65fdfb5b50ef1a8355)CIVIS3i: Five Years Advancing Research Excellence Across CIVIS Alliance Alliance projects 28 juillet 2026 ](https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom/civis3i-five-years-advancing-research-excellence-across-civis-alliance) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/units-summit-ulb-2026-1-800x600.jpg?token=1cade177ced2307c4691cc41f31453ad)Construire une alliance efficace : cinq enseignements tirés des unités CIVIS Communication and Dissemination 25 mai 2026 ](https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom/building-an-alliance-that-works-five-lessons-from-the-civis-units) [ Découvrez toutes nos aventures ](https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom) [ "The ideal city is dense and compact", thinks Lord Norman Foster, recently awarded an honorary doctorate by the UAM ](%20https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom/the-ideal-city-is-dense-and-compact-thinks-lord-norman-foster-recently-awarded-an-honorary-doctorate-by-the-uam%20) [ University of Salzburg wins Internationalisation Award for Staff Mobility and Development ](%20https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom/university-of-salzburg-wins-internationalisation-award-for-staff-mobility-and-development%20) ![CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance](https://civis.eu/build/assets/civis-CCpvK1nT.svg) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Europe’s Civic University Alliance ![Co-funded by the European Union](https://civis.eu/build/assets/co-funded-by-the-european-union-DSKLW1us.png)Views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). 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