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11/14/2005:

"Mammals at greater risk as bird flu strain mutates"

Scientists in Vietnam believe the H5N1 bird flu strain has mutated, allowing it to breed more effectively in mammals, though not necessarily in humans, online newspaper VnExpress said yesterday.

Scientists at the Pasteur Institute found significant variations in 24 samples from humans and poultry. The findings corroborate the belief that H5N1 would not have to mix with a human flu strain to become a form causing a human pandemic.
guardian.co.uk