Scientists have mapped the genome of the black swan in an effort to understand immune responses to the deadly ‘bird flu’ virus and better protect public health.
Scientists have mapped the genome of the black swan in an effort to understand immune responses to the deadly ‘bird flu’ virus and better protect public health.
The University of Queensland team, led by Dr Kirsty Short and PhD candidate Mr Anjana Karawita, sequenced the genome of black swans, a species particularly susceptible to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), also known as bird flu.
“HPAI occurs mainly in birds, is highly contagious and can be deadly, especially in domestic poultry,” Dr Short said.
“As of 2011, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization has considered six countries to be endemic for the virus in poultry – Bangladesh, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
Read more at University of Queensland
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