Cows might host both human and bird flus

Molecules that allow entry to both kinds of influenza viruses have been found in cattle

A composite image showing a long rod-like H5N1 avian influenza virus, a black and white dairy cow facing the camera and rounded H2N3 human flu virus particles.

Cattle have entry portals that allow infection with both bird flu viruses (H5N1 avian influenza A, left) and human influenza viruses (H3N2 influenza A virus from a person, right).

NIAID; Peter Cade/Getty Images; NIAID

Cows have entry portals for both human and bird flus. This new finding may mean that cattle could host both types of flus at once.