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Thursday, October 28, 2010

Photo: Bird Flu Strain Diversified, May Be Harder to Conquer


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This electron micrograph image shows the infective form of the deadly H5N1 strain of avian influenza. New research found that H5N1 has several distinct genetic branches spread across several geographic regions.

The variations may pose a troubling puzzle for scientists hoping to develop effective, strain-specific human vaccines to battle a possible pandemic.

Image courtesy CDC/Cynthia Goldsmith/Jackie Katz