Health and Me

Ishita Roy

A New Sensor Can Detect Bird Flu Virus Even Before The Outbreak

Bird Flu Detection Sensor

The US is struggling with multiple disease outbreaks, the longest one till now being the <span>bird flu</span> or the H5N1 virus. However, to give a ray of hope, scientists have now created a handheld sensor that can quickly detect H5N1 in the air, which could potentially stop the outbreak before they spread. 

The findings of this handheld sensor is published in journal <em>ACS Sensors</em>, which noted it to be a low-cost, highly sensitive and workable sensor.

Bird flu spreads when infected respiratory droplets are inhaled by birds or animals. While lab-based texts like PCR are effective, they require sample collection and time to deliver results. Whereas, this handheld sensor is a much faster, simpler method that could help detect the virus even before the outbreak could cover.

The research was led by Rajan Chakrabarty, who is the leader of the Aerosol Interdisciplinary Research(AIR) group at Washington University. His team developed the sensor using electrochemical capacitive biosensor (ECB) technology. The ECB features a thin network of nanocrystals and graphene oxide, with special probes that attach to bird flu particles. 

This is a built-in-air sampler, which collects airborne virus droplets and turns them into a liquid sample. When the virus binds to the sensor, it changes the device's ability to hold electrical charge. This allows the scientists to measure virus levels. 

In lab tests, the ECB sensor detected the H5N1 virus within five minutes. It was also sensitive enough to identify 95 viral copies per 35 cubic feet of air. This is a level that researchers say should be "sensitive enough to detect the presence of H5N1 below the virus' infectious dose." 

As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), since 2003, a number of thousand confirmed cases of human H5N1 was reported to the World Health Organization. Out of this, almost 50% died, and the fatality rate was set at 52%.

The countries reporting the highest number of human bird flu deaths are Indonesia, Egypt, Vietnam, Cambodia, and China. While the fatality rate varies by the strain of bird flu, another type, that is, H679 is known to infect humans has a lower fatality rate of 40%.

CDC also noted that severe H5N1 avian flu in America was "not expected". "Avian influenza A (H5N1) virus infection has previously been associated with severe human illness in other countries during 2024 and prior years, including illness resulting in death," the CDC stated.

<h4>Does it come from other animals?</h4>

Bird flu primarily infected farmworkers or those in close proximity to livestock. The first human bird flu case in the US was reported in 2022, to a person who was also involved in farm-working.

While this flu is largely confined to birds in the wild and poultry, recent outbreaks have been reported in mammals too, including cattle.

The CDC also noted earlier that the risk to the general public is still at low, however, this warning could change. "Although human infections are rare, circumstances may evolve as we learn more about this case," said the CDC in a statement.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

bird flu detection sensor

bird flu

bird flu virus

bird flu in US

Us health news

What Is Adenomyosis? The Condition That's Often Mistaken For Endometriosis

This Is Why You Should Avoid Inhaling Laughing Gas

Health News

10 Upper Body Exercises To Build Arm Strength

10 Foods That Raise Uric Acid Levels

10 Desk Exercises To Keep You Active

10 Exercises To Help You Do Push-Ups Properly

10 Home Exercises For Core Strength

10 Exercises To Help You Relieve Back Pain

10 Low-Sodium Dinner Options You Must Try

10 Health Benefits Of Star Anise

10 Ways To Recover Quickly After Working Out

10 Low-Sodium Healthy Heart Snack

10 Bedtime Habits To Help You Lose Weight

10 Low Carb Lunch Options You Must Try

10 Foods to Avoid Eating During Season

10 Strength Exercises To Help You Burn Belly Fat

10 Food Habits That Are Ruining Your Health

10 Exercises You Should Do For Better Joint Health

10 Foods That Are High-Protein You May Not Know About

10 Fiber Rich Dinner Choices To Try

10 Ways To Curb Unhealthy Cravings

10 Healthy Egg Recipes You Can Try

​10 Morning Exercises You Should Do Everyday​

10 Protein Healthy Bread Recipes

10 Morning Habit You Should Teach Children

10 Nutty Recipes You Should Try For Your Health

10 Exercises You Should Do Before Sleeping

10 Exercises You Should Do For Arm Strength

10 Ways You Can Maximize Your Gym Exercises

10 Exercises You Can Do While Walking

10 Healthy Savoury Pancakes To Have For Breakfast

10 Herbal Tea Mixes For Winters

10 Habits To Ensure Your Teeth Health

10 Detox Juices You Should Try

10 Low Impact Exercises For Weight Loss

10 Foods That Should Be Part Of A Runners Diet

10 Gym Exercises Basketball Players Should Do

10 Light Foods You Can Eat Before Exercises

10 Ways To Beat The Sleep Spell In Office

10 Tips To Help Muscle Recovery

6-6-6 Walking Routine Can Help You Stay Fit

10 Breathing Exercises To Try When You’re Feeling Anxious

The US is struggling with multiple disease outbreaks, the longest one till now being the bird flu or the H5N1 virus. However, to give a ray of hope, scientists have now created a handheld sensor that can quickly detect H5N1 in the air, which could potentially stop the outbreak before they spread. The findings of this handheld sensor is published in journal ACS Sensors, which noted it to be a low-cost, highly sensitive and workable sensor.How Does Bird Flu Spread?Bird flu spreads when infected respiratory droplets are inhaled by birds or animals. While lab-based texts like PCR are effective, they require sample collection and time to deliver results. Whereas, this handheld sensor is a much faster, simpler method that could help detect the virus even before the outbreak could cover.How Does The Sensor Work?The research was led by Rajan Chakrabarty, who is the leader of the Aerosol Interdisciplinary Research(AIR) group at Washington University. His team developed the sensor using electrochemical capacitive biosensor (ECB) technology. The ECB features a thin network of nanocrystals and graphene oxide, with special probes that attach to bird flu particles. This is a built-in-air sampler, which collects airborne virus droplets and turns them into a liquid sample. When the virus binds to the sensor, it changes the device's ability to hold electrical charge. This allows the scientists to measure virus levels. In lab tests, the ECB sensor detected the H5N1 virus within five minutes. It was also sensitive enough to identify 95 viral copies per 35 cubic feet of air. This is a level that researchers say should be "sensitive enough to detect the presence of H5N1 below the virus' infectious dose." Is Bird Flu Deadly In Humans?As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), since 2003, a number of thousand confirmed cases of human H5N1 was reported to the World Health Organization. Out of this, almost 50% died, and the fatality rate was set at 52%.The countries reporting the highest number of human bird flu deaths are Indonesia, Egypt, Vietnam, Cambodia, and China. While the fatality rate varies by the strain of bird flu, another type, that is, H679 is known to infect humans has a lower fatality rate of 40%.CDC also noted that severe H5N1 avian flu in America was "not expected". "Avian influenza A (H5N1) virus infection has previously been associated with severe human illness in other countries during 2024 and prior years, including illness resulting in death," the CDC stated.Does it come from other animals?Bird flu primarily infected farmworkers or those in close proximity to livestock. The first human bird flu case in the US was reported in 2022, to a person who was also involved in farm-working.While this flu is largely confined to birds in the wild and poultry, recent outbreaks have been reported in mammals too, including cattle.The CDC also noted earlier that the risk to the general public is still at low, however, this warning could change. "Although human infections are rare, circumstances may evolve as we learn more about this case," said the CDC in a statement.