28 Oct 2008 22:06:57 GMT
Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON, Oct 28 (Reuters) - Migrating waterfowl may be carrying avian
influenza viruses from Asia to the Americas, U.S. government researchers
reported on Tuesday.

They found genetic evidence that some non-dangerous influenza viruses
infecting northern pintail ducks in Alaska are genetically more closely
related to Asian strains of bird flu than to North American strains.

"Although some previous research has led to speculation that
intercontinental transfer of avian influenza viruses from Asia to North
America via wild birds is rare, this study challenges that," said Chris
Franson, a research wildlife biologist at the U.S. Geological Survey,
who helped lead the study.

USGS and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service experts have been testing birds
in Alaska for any evidence they may be carrying highly pathogenic H5N1
bird flu with them from Asia.

Writing in the journal Molecular Ecology, the USGS team said they had
collected samples from more than 1,400 northern pintails from throughout
Alaska and compared any viruses they found to virus samples taken from
other birds in North America and eastern Asia where northern pintails
spend the winter.

None of the samples were found to contain completely Asian-origin
viruses and none were highly pathogenic. But certain parts of the genes
of the viruses resembled Asian strains, they said.

Since 2003, H5N1 has swept through flocks in Indonesia, Korea, China and
elsewhere in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and parts of Africa.

It has killed or forced the slaughter of more than 300 million birds.

Not only is it devastating to the poultry industry but it occasionally
infects people and has killed 245 out of the 387 infected people so far,
according to the World Health Organization.

Birds can carry dozens of different flu viruses, some dangerous and some
not. So far there is no evidence any have carried H5N1 with them to
North America from Asia.

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites