Avian Flu Researchers Make Strides.

The article looks at H5N1 avian influenza virus research including new routes of entry, vaccine research, and the studying of viral genes. The article presents a study in which eight cats were exposed to the H5N1 virus by feeding on infected chickens, intrathecally, or close contact with respiratory-infected cats. All the cats developed the virus in the respiratory tract and in other bodily tissues. Research teams are also working to develop a protective vaccine. Genetically engineered adenoviruses designed to produce the influenza hemagglutinin gene have potential. The article also describes the sequencing effort to collect genomic data on avian influenza A viruses.