Dual Flu Protein Targeting Cuts Airborne Spread

New research suggests targeting two key flu virus proteins could help curb influenza transmission.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 5:08am

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A study led by Penn State scientists demonstrates a way to stop the influenza virus from spreading through the air while continuing to keep the virus from replicating inside the host. The findings reveal that targeting the body's defenses against two proteins on the surface of the flu virus - hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) - can work to reduce the chance of airborne spread.

Why it matters

Influenza viruses like H1N1 infect up to 1 billion people worldwide each year, leading to severe disease and up to 650,000 deaths annually. This research suggests that intentionally targeting both the HA and NA proteins in future vaccines could help curb the spread of seasonal flu outbreaks.

The details

The researchers used ferrets as models to test how different types of immunity (from either vaccination or prior infection) against an influenza H1N1 virus affected both viral replication and the likelihood of airborne transmission. Across every scenario, animals with immunity to both the HA and NA proteins were consistently less likely to pass the virus on to nearby, uninfected ferrets. Transmission dropped by half, with immune responses to both proteins equally contributing to the overall reduction.

  • The study was published on March 13, 2026 in the journal Science Advances.
  • The virus used in the study is representative of seasonal influenza viruses that cause outbreaks every fall and winter.

The players

Troy Sutton

The lead author of the study, who serves as Huck Early Career Chair in Virology and associate professor of immunology and infectious disease at Penn State.

Penn State

The university where the research was conducted.

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

The NIH institute that funded the research through its Centers of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance.

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture

The agency that also provided funding for the study.

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

The federal agency that funded the research.

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What they’re saying

“This suggests that intentionally targeting these two proteins together in future vaccines could help curb spread.”

— Troy Sutton, Lead author of the study

“Critically, transmission was reduced without accelerating viral evolution inside the host, which is a key concern in vaccine design.”

— Troy Sutton, Lead author of the study

“That insight could help guide future vaccine design, especially efforts that aim not only to prevent severe illness but to limit viral transmission itself.”

— Troy Sutton, Lead author of the study

What’s next

The researchers plan to continue studying how targeting the HA and NA proteins together could be leveraged in the development of more effective influenza vaccines.

The takeaway

This research suggests that future influenza vaccines may need to target multiple viral proteins, like HA and NA, in order to not only prevent severe illness but also limit the airborne spread of the virus, which could help curb seasonal flu outbreaks.