# Bird Flu Has Mutated--Not The Worst, Yet... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 21, 2006, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bird-flu-has-mutated-not-the-worst-yet/349294 "2006-03-21T15:39:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2006, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bird-flu-has-mutated-not-the-worst-yet/349294/1 "2006-03-21T15:39:20Z")
There are now two distinct strains of Bird Flu. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4828078.stm](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4828078.stm) > [@](#): > > The H5N1 virus responsible for the current virulent strain of bird flu has evolved into two genetically distinct strains, US scientists have confirmed. > They fear this could increase the risk to humans - and complicate the search for an effective vaccine. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2006, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bird-flu-has-mutated-not-the-worst-yet/349294/2 "2006-03-21T15:56:43Z")
Looks like it’s still not human to human. I fear that will mutate in Africa, which has a huge population of people with compromised immune systems because of HIV, combined with close contact with poultry, poor health infrastructure, and poor communication. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2006, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bird-flu-has-mutated-not-the-worst-yet/349294/3 "2006-03-21T16:05:56Z")
> [@NurseCarmen](#): > > Looks like it’s still not human to human. I fear that will mutate in Africa, which has a huge population of people with compromised immune systems because of HIV, combined with close contact with poultry, poor health infrastructure, and poor communication. I expressed similar fears recently. But Mexico is a good bet, too, insofar as the Government there is pretty indifferent to the welfare of their Indian population, or their titanic numbers of urban poor. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2006, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bird-flu-has-mutated-not-the-worst-yet/349294/4 "2006-03-22T17:15:52Z")
British Ornithologists claim lowest # of migratory birds in decades. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4825378.stm](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4825378.stm) > [@](#): > > Birds which migrate long distances have suffered a population fall, the most extensive poll for 20 years has found. > It shows a 70 per cent decline in birds such as the tree pipit and spotted flycatcher in some areas. Flu? ---
**Author:** ![Lionne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Lionne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lionne)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2006, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bird-flu-has-mutated-not-the-worst-yet/349294/5 "2006-03-22T23:49:49Z")
> [@Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor](#): > > British Ornithologists claim lowest # of migratory birds in decades. > Flu? Of course they flew! How else can they migrate…sheesh!