H5N1 Bird Flu: What You Need to Know About Transmission, Risk, and Protecting Yourself from Avian Influenza
Published: January 9, 2026
Duration: 4:28
You’re listening to Avian Flu 101: Your H5N1 Bird Flu Guide.
I’m your host, and for the next three minutes we’ll unpack what H5N1 is, why experts watch it so closely, and what it means for you.
First, the basics. Avian flu, or bird flu, is an influenza virus that mainly infects birds. H5N1 is one specific subtype. The “H” and “N” are like model numbers on a car: H stands for hemagglutinin and N for neuraminidase, two proteins on the virus surface that help it enter and exit cells. According to the World H...
I’m your host, and for the next three minutes we’ll unpack what H5N1 is, why experts watch it so closely, and what it means for you.
First, the basics. Avian flu, or bird flu, is an influenza virus that mainly infects birds. H5N1 is one specific subtype. The “H” and “N” are like model numbers on a car: H stands for hemagglutinin and N for neuraminidase, two proteins on the virus surface that help it enter and exit cells. According to the World H...