Recent advances in avian influenza virus: Molecular pathogenesis, emerging strains, and next-generation therapeutics

Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) represent an ongoing threat to global health due to their capacity for genetic evolution, zoonotic transmission, and pandemic emergence. This review highlights recent progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying AIV infection, including viral immune evasion strategies and host-virus interactions. It discusses recent outbreaks involving reassortant strains such as H5N1 and H9N2, and examines their public health consequences. Advancements in antiviral therapy, including resistance patterns, and the development of next-generation vaccines such as messenger RNA and universal influenza vaccines are reviewed. The integration of genomic surveillance, artificial intelligence-driven prediction, and One Health approaches is emphasized as essential for pandemic preparedness. This comprehensive overview aims to provide researchers and policymakers with actionable insights for controlling the evolving threat of avian influenza.