Mammals can become infected with the highly pathogenic (HPAI) avian influenza H5N1 virus when they feed on infected sick or dead wild birds. Studies by Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) show that there is no spread of the virus between the mammals. However, a zoönotic mutation was found. "That's a sign that the virus is adapting to a new host," says Nancy Beerens, head of the Dutch National Reference Laboratory Avian influenza.
