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Biosecurity

Mutations Observed In First Severe Human Bird Flu Case In US, CDC Says Mutations Observed In First Severe Human Bird Flu Case In US, CDC Says
Mutations Observed In First Severe Human Bird Flu Case In US, CDC Says The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified mutations in the the first severe bird flu case in the US that may increase its ability to infect humans.  These mutations, found in the hemagglutinin (HA) gene, play a key role in helping the virus attach to cells in the upper respiratory tract. This discovery stems from the first severe US case of H5N1, involving a Louisiana resident over 65 who had direct contact with infected backyard birds.  Earlier report: First Severe Bird Flu Case Confirmed In US Notably, these mutations weren’t present in the bird sam…
Dangerous Strain Of Bird Flu Found In Flock At Downstate NY Home Dangerous Strain Of Bird Flu Found In Flock At Downstate NY Home
Dangerous Strain Of Bird Flu Found In Flock At Downstate NY Home State officials announced that a highly contagious, dangerous strain of bird flu was found in a non-commercial flock on Long Island. Samples collected from a flock of eight birds tested positive for highly-pathogenic avian influenza, according to an announcement from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets on Saturday, Feb. 19. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the disease is serious "and requires rapid response because it is highly contagious and often fatal to chickens." The samples were tested at the Cornell University Animal Health Diagnost…