Avian Flu: Chicken Little, Owl Wise

Avian influenza has triggered an international alarm regarding its possible transformation into a deadly human killer.

The genetic phylogeny of avian influenza, caused by the type A influenza virus, H5N1, indicates that the genesis of all influenza viruses occurs among birds, such as ducks and other waterfowl. The majority of these viruses are highly species-specific and remain among their species of origin. On rare occasions, a virus may cross the species barrier and develop the capability of i…