Environmental News Network - Black Swan Genome Could Be Our Secret Weapon to Combat Next Pandemic

Details: By University of Queensland; 30.Jul

Scientists have mapped the genome of the black swan in an effort to understand immune responses to the deadly ‘bird flu’ virus and better protect public health.

Julie Swatson

Scientists have mapped the genome of the black swan in an effort to understand immune responses to the deadly ‘bird flu’ virus and better protect public health.

The University of Queensland team, led by Dr Kirsty Short and PhD candidate Mr Anjana Karawita, sequenced the genome of black swans, a species particularly susceptible to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), also known as bird flu.

“HPAI occurs mainly in birds, is highly contagious and can be deadly, especially in domestic poultry,” Dr Short said.

“As of 2011, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization has considered six countries to be endemic for the virus in poultry – Bangladesh, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

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Black Swan Genome Could Be Our Secret Weapon to Combat Next Pandemic