New Study: Current Avian Influenza Virus Can Infect Human Lung Tissue

A section of human alveoli infected with the H5N1 avian influenza virus (green) from dairy cows. Type II cells (red), which are essential for respiration, die when infected with the virus. Blue: cell nuclei. Three infected type II cells are visible; one type II cell is uninfected. Similarly, four infected cell nuclei are visible; the remaining 16 cell nuclei visible in the image are uninfected.
Alveoli infected with H5N1 © Andreas Hocke
Section of human alveoli infected with an avian influenza H5N1 virus (green) isolated from dairy cattle. Type II cells (red), which are essential for respiration, die upon infection. Blue: cell nuclei. © Charité | Andreas C. Hocke | CC BY-NC-ND

Researchers at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the Robert Koch Institute have gained new insights into infections of the human respiratory tract caused by current avian influenza viruses (H5N1). In a spotlight feature, Prof. Andreas Hocke, head of the research group at Charité and a member of the EC3R Steering Committee, presents the research approach and findings.

Click here for the original interview article on the Charité website.


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20.05.2026
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