bird flu, page-6

from the washington times....

Mutant bird flu may become more deadly



Hong Kong, China, Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Researchers in Hong Kong fear that a more virulent strain of avian flu may be evolving in Asia, posing a greater threat to both poultry and humans.

A University of Hong Kong study showed that another type of bird flu could be deadlier than the one that caused hundreds of thousands of chickens to be killed in Asia this year, RTHK reported Tuesday.

Scientists from the university's Department of Microbiology said that the H9N2 virus, which can also cause influenza in humans, is common in chickens sold in Hong Kong's markets.

The researchers said the virus appears to be mutating, and could pose a health risk to people as well as poultry. They urged the government to monitor the virus.