Bird flu kills many birds and certain animals, yet has minimal impact on humans; scientists study differences in lethality among species.

Bird flu has killed millions of wild and domestic birds, seals, sea lions, mink, and other animals worldwide, but has not affected humans significantly. Scientists are studying why bird flu is lethal to some species and causes mild illness in others, with potential changes in lethality keeping them awake at night. Possible explanations include differences in infection methods or species-specific microscopic docking points that the flu virus needs to replicate and cause illness.

June 14, 2024
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