Recent studies have shown that unlike other forms of flu that readily infect humans, H5N1 likes to nestle in the lower part of the lungs, making
infection more unlikely except in those who have long-term exposure to infected birds.
An international team of researchers, led by University of Wisconsin-Madison flu expert Yoshihiro Kawaoka, has identified the biological
roadblock that prevents the avian influenza virus, H5N1, from transmitting easily between people.
Researchers familiar with the study, published today in the journal Nature, say the findings are "comforting" because they indicate that it may be
difficult for the disease to become the deadly human pandemic many have feared.
[Researchers] discovered that only cells located in the deep, dark recesses of the human lower respiratory tract could bind to avian flu. Those in the
upper respiratory tract, where human flus are carried, could not. He added that if people start to see H5N1 disease in wild North American birds, we
should not only keep all domestic fowl indoors, but also pet cats, "because cats are easily infected and could pose a risk to humans."
www.msnbc.msn.com Please visit the link provided for the complete story.
I hope this is true and that the risk of human infection remains very low. Of course, as someone else has posted, TB may become what many have feared
H5N1 would be.
[edit on 2006/3/26 by GradyPhilpott]
