Main Ideas:
– Older adults exposed to seasonal flu viruses prior to 1968 have a higher likelihood of having antibodies that can bind to the H5N1 avian flu virus.
– Cross-reactive immunity is observed between past exposure to seasonal influenza viruses and the current H5N1 avian influenza virus.
Author’s Take:
Exposure to seasonal flu viruses in earlier years seems to provide a significant advantage in developing antibodies that can target the current H5N1 avian influenza virus, highlighting the importance of historical immune responses in combating emerging infectious diseases.
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