H5N1 Bird Flu Guide: What You Need to Know About Avian Influenza Symptoms, Transmission, and Safety
Published: November 14, 2025
Duration: 4:02
Welcome to Avian Flu 101: Your H5N1 Bird Flu Guide, a Quiet Please production.
Today, we're answering all your questions about avian influenza, also called bird flu, focusing on the H5N1 strain. Let's break down the basics in simple terms.
First, what is H5N1? H5N1 is a type of avian influenza virus. “H” stands for hemagglutinin and “N” for neuraminidase, both are proteins on the outside of the virus that help it infect and spread. There are 19 hemagglutinins and 11 neuraminidases, so different combinations like H5N1 create new subtypes. The H5N1 virus is highl...
Today, we're answering all your questions about avian influenza, also called bird flu, focusing on the H5N1 strain. Let's break down the basics in simple terms.
First, what is H5N1? H5N1 is a type of avian influenza virus. “H” stands for hemagglutinin and “N” for neuraminidase, both are proteins on the outside of the virus that help it infect and spread. There are 19 hemagglutinins and 11 neuraminidases, so different combinations like H5N1 create new subtypes. The H5N1 virus is highl...