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Vaccines developed for H5N1, H7N9 avian influenza strains

Vaccines developed for H5N1, H7N9 avian influenza strains

A recent study with Kansas State University researchers details vaccine development for two new strains of avian influenza that can be transmitted from poultry to humans. The strains have led to the culling of millions of commercial chickens and turkeys as well as the death of hundreds of people. The new vaccine development method is […]

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Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) – Arizona taking steps to protect poultry

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) – Arizona taking steps to protect poultry

The Arizona Department of Agriculture is working with large and small poultry farmers in the state concerning the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Since the first discovery in North America in December, the department has published information on the State Veterinarian’s blog as well as the agriculture.az.gov website. With this week’s announcement of the USDA […]

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Researchers create tool to predict avian flu outbreaks

Researchers create tool to predict avian flu outbreaks

A simple and effective portable tool to predict avian flu outbreaks on farms has been created by University of Guelph researchers. U of G researchers devised a real-time way to analyze chickens and other farm birds for avian flu. The tool uses a small blood sample and relies on a simple chemical colour change to […]

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Circulation of highly pathogenic avian flu in North American birds

Circulation of highly pathogenic avian flu in North American birds

Viral changes make current situation more complex Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 viruses of Eurasian origin continue to circulate and evolve in North American wild birds. The U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Department of Agriculture published the genetic analysis of a mixed-origin HPAI H5N1 avian flu virus in the journal Genome Announcements. This novel […]

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Scripps Research Institute study shows 2 new flu strains do not yet easily infect humans

Scripps Research Institute study shows 2 new flu strains do not yet easily infect humans

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have analyzed a key protein from two influenza strains that recently began causing sporadic infections among people in China and Taiwan. A new analysis suggest that two deadly flu viruses, variants of subtypes H10N8 and H6N1, have not acquired changes that would allow them to infect people easily.Credit: […]

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‘Bird flu protection’ given by seasonal flu vaccine

‘Bird flu protection’ given by seasonal flu vaccine

Individuals receiving the annual vaccine for regular seasonal flu strains also develop protection against the more dangerous bird flu strain known as H7N9 that emerged in China 2 years ago, medical scientists in Chicago and New York have found. The seasonal flu vaccine may protect against bird flu. The researchers, from the University of Chicago […]

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Confidence in government linked to willingness to vaccinate

Confidence in government linked to willingness to vaccinate

Study looked at 2009 swine flu vaccine use in United States A new study suggests that confidence in government may play a key role in the public’s willingness to get at least some vaccines. The study re-analyzed national survey data from 2009 that examined Americans’ views on a then-new vaccine for the H1N1 virus – […]

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Brain protein found to aid influenza recovery

Brain protein found to aid influenza recovery

Washington State University Spokane scientists have found a brain protein that boosts the healing power of sleep and speeds an animal’s recovery from the flu. Research by WSU Regents Professor James M. Krueger has determined that a brain-specific protein is uniquely involved in sleep responses triggered by the influenza virus in mice. Without the protein, […]