Avian Flu is Pandemic in Birds

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http://www.medindia.net/news/view_news_main.asp?x=15948

Scientists Alert to Onset of Pandemic through Bird flu Mutations to Humans

Comparison of influenza viruses found in birds with the avian virus
that have infected human hosts has revealed key genetic changes to researchers indicating pandemic strains of bird flu

The research has been reported in the Nov. 16 issue of the journal
Nature which illustrates the genetic changes required for the H5N1
avian influenza virus that makes it adaptable enough to recognize the
receptors on human cells.

Yoshihiro Kawaoka, the senior author of the Nature paper and a virologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine. "We identified two changes that are important. Both changes are needed for the H5N1 virus to recognize human receptors." 

The latest report provides a molecular blueprint
for the genetic changes required to transform a virus that only infects
birds to a virus that can easily recognize human receptors on the
surface of cells which allow the virus to attach to the cell and steer
it towards a cascade of infection. 

Knowledge of these genetic changes make it easier to detect the emergence of pandemic strains earlier, thereby providing public health officials and vaccine manufacturers with time to prepare for a global outbreak of highly pathogenic influenza. 

Although human and avian influenza viruses recognize different cell receptors, avian flugenes
with human viruses which permits them to recognize human receptor
molecules and gain easy access to cells, typically in the human respiratory system. viruses have an ability to evolve to easily infect humans by exchange of 

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Medclinician Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List V.I.P. Member Valued Member Since 2006 Joined: July 08 2009 Status: Offline Points: 23322	Post Options Post Reply Quote Medclinician Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Avian Flu is Pandemic in Birds Posted: December 21 2009 at 6:50am
	http://www.medindia.net/news/view_news_main.asp?x=15948 Scientists Alert to Onset of Pandemic through Bird flu Mutations to Humans Comparison of influenza viruses found in birds with the avian virus that have infected human hosts has revealed key genetic changes to researchers indicating pandemic strains of bird flu The research has been reported in the Nov. 16 issue of the journal Nature which illustrates the genetic changes required for the H5N1 avian influenza virus that makes it adaptable enough to recognize the receptors on human cells. Yoshihiro Kawaoka, the senior author of the Nature paper and a virologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine. "We identified two changes that are important. Both changes are needed for the H5N1 virus to recognize human receptors." The latest report provides a molecular blueprint for the genetic changes required to transform a virus that only infects birds to a virus that can easily recognize human receptors on the surface of cells which allow the virus to attach to the cell and steer it towards a cascade of infection. Knowledge of these genetic changes make it easier to detect the emergence of pandemic strains earlier, thereby providing public health officials and vaccine manufacturers with time to prepare for a global outbreak of highly pathogenic influenza. Although human and avian influenza viruses recognize different cell receptors, avian flu genes with human viruses which permits them to recognize human receptor molecules and gain easy access to cells, typically in the human respiratory system. viruses have an ability to evolve to easily infect humans by exchange of