New Bird Flu Vaccine in Works
Government health officials are working on a second vaccine to protect people from bird flu since the current virus has changed significantly in the past year.
The earlier bird flu vaccine is based on a sample of virus taken from Vietnam in 2004. The germ is believed to have mutated enough since then that the form now circulating in Africa and Europe may be different, according to officials.
The World Health Organization reports 174 human cases of bird flu, with 94 deaths since 2003.
Although most of the human victims were in very close contact with infected birds, health officials are worried the virus could mutate into a strain that easily passes among people.
The WHO says the bird flu is costing the world's agriculture industry more than $10 billion and affecting the livelihoods of 300 million farmers.
The earlier bird flu vaccine is based on a sample of virus taken from Vietnam in 2004. The germ is believed to have mutated enough since then that the form now circulating in Africa and Europe may be different, according to officials.
The World Health Organization reports 174 human cases of bird flu, with 94 deaths since 2003.
Although most of the human victims were in very close contact with infected birds, health officials are worried the virus could mutate into a strain that easily passes among people.
The WHO says the bird flu is costing the world's agriculture industry more than $10 billion and affecting the livelihoods of 300 million farmers.
posted by newsollie at 10:13 AM
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