H5N1 Bird Flu Explained: What You Need to Know About the Avian Influenza Outbreak and Human Risk
Published: January 17, 2026
Duration: 3:44
Avian Flu 101: Your H5N1 Bird Flu Guide
Welcome to Avian Flu 101, your simple guide to H5N1 bird flu. Im a calm voice breaking down the basics for anyone new to this. Lets start with the science, made easy.
First, basic virology. Imagine the flu virus as a spiky ball with two key tags: H for hemagglutinin and N for neuraminidase. H5N1 means H5 spikes and N1 cutters. These help it stick to cells and escape. Its an influenza A virus, like seasonal flu, but from birds. Highly pathogenic means it hits birds hard...
Welcome to Avian Flu 101, your simple guide to H5N1 bird flu. Im a calm voice breaking down the basics for anyone new to this. Lets start with the science, made easy.
First, basic virology. Imagine the flu virus as a spiky ball with two key tags: H for hemagglutinin and N for neuraminidase. H5N1 means H5 spikes and N1 cutters. These help it stick to cells and escape. Its an influenza A virus, like seasonal flu, but from birds. Highly pathogenic means it hits birds hard...