Is Gain-of-Function Responsible for the Bird Flu Jump to Cows and Humans?

Certain types of bird flu viruses that typically spread among birds are now causing infections in cows and humans in Western countries.

Illustration by The Epoch Times, Shutterstock

In the past six months, bird flu has surprised scientists at least twice.

Bird flu viruses have circulated mainly in birds for a long time. However, in early December 2023, an outbreak occurred in U.S. dairy cows, even though cattle are not typically susceptible to avian influenza A, the bird flu virus.