Evolutionary constraints limit additional mammalian adaptation of bovine-derived H5N1 influenza viruses in ferrets
Heather M. Machkovech, Wanting Wei, 谷春阳, Lizheng Guan, Asim Biswas, Tadashi Maemura, Tong Wang, Lavanya Babujee, Peter Halfmann, Amie J. Eisfeld, Gabriele Neumann, Yoshihiro Kawaoka, Katia Koelle, Thomas C. Friedrich
This study shows bovine-derived H5N1 viruses face evolutionary constraints in ferrets, limiting adaptation for efficient mammalian transmission despite robust replication.
bioRxiv · Jul 22, 2026 · PreprintMicrobiology