Dog flu adapts in the direction of being able to infect humans, Chinese study says
Fox News
Scientists from China say dogs may serve as intermediates for the adaption of avian influenza viruses to humans, with a study looking at more than 4,000 dogs.
By studying biological characteristics of H3N2 canine influenza viruses isolated worldwide over the period of a decade, researchers at China Agricultural University and other institutions found that the viruses became able to recognize the human-like SAα2,6-Gal receptor. Julia Musto is a reporter for Fox News and Fox Business Digital.
In addition, the viruses showed gradually increased hemagglutination – a reaction that causes clumping of red blood cells in presence of some enveloped viruses – acid stability and replication ability in human airway epithelial cells and acquired a 100% transmission rate via respiratory droplets in testing using ferrets.