Influenza D Virus Human Spillover Potential

A new study led by Cody Warren and Andrew Bowman at Ohio State University has revealed that the influenza D virus, primarily found in cattle and pigs, can vigorously replicate in human cells and lung tissue samples. This finding suggests a strong potential for the virus to spill over to humans, despite no active human infections being discovered to date. The research, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, highlights that influenza D replicates as effectively as influenza A viruses in human respiratory cells but does not stimulate a robust antiviral immune response. The study was supported by the United States — United States Department of Agriculture, the Norway — Norwegian Institute of Public Health, and the United States — National Institutes of Health. Researchers emphasize the need for increased surveillance and understanding of influenza D's biology to prepare for a potential emergence in humans.