Deadly Bird Flu In China Evolves, Spreads To New Regions
In the 2017 outbreak, the Chinese government reported 759 cases of the H7N9 avian flu, with 281 deaths. By comparison, in 2016 there were 123 cases.
bird flu
A Few Genetic Tweaks To Chinese Bird Flu Virus Could Fuel A Human Pandemic
Three genetic changes could be enough to make a bird flu strain that's already killing some people in China highly contagious. Are experiments with a deliberately mutated version too risky?
To Stem Spread Of Avian Flu In China, Some Provinces Shutter Poultry Markets
China has seen an uptick of cases of the deadly H7N9 strain of the avian flu virus, and authorities are trying to stop it from spreading further. Some areas are closing live poultry markets.
Debate Over Bird Flu Research Moratorium Flares Up Again
Scientists are convening to debate whether experiments that make some viruses more contagious in order to advance understanding of potential outbreaks are worth the risk of creating one.
Secretary Of Agriculture: Bird Flu Poses 'No Health Issue' To Humans
The largest outbreak of avian flu in U.S. history is ravaging poultry at farms in the Midwest. Sec. Tom Vilsack says there's no risk of transmission to humans, but egg prices may rise.
Iowa Farm To Kill 5 Million Chickens In Effort To Contain Avian Flu
This is the worst outbreak since the H5N2 influenza was first detected in December. The disease has been found in seven other states over the past five months.
Millions Of Chickens To Be Killed As Bird Flu Outbreak Puzzles Industry
A flu strain deadly to chickens and turkeys is striking farms in the West and Midwest. This week, it hit an Iowa facility with millions of egg-laying hens. No one knows how it's entering houses.
Scientists Debate If It's OK To Make Viruses More Dangerous In The Lab
Researchers are struggling with how to balance the benefits and risks of genetic experiments that can give viruses new talents for causing infections.
Research Institutions Will Have To Identify 'Dual-Use' Pathogens
Scientists are deeply divided on whether lab-made flu viruses are legitimate medical research or national security threats. A new federal policy asks institutions to evaluate those risks early on.
Feds Tighten Lab Security After Anthrax, Bird Flu Blunders
The sloppy handling by federal scientists of the world's scariest germs must stop, says the dismayed head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Are his new rules enough?