Scientists at Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Hamilton, Montana work to solve flu puzzle

When the world’s waterfowl make their annual migrations, hunters and birders are not the only groups that take notice.

Every year teams of scientists tracking influenza viruses – a network that funnels ultimately to the World Health Organization – intersect these epic flight paths in an effort to isolate the strains that will result in the year’s seasonal flu.

These scientists are interested in the birds, or more specifically their droppings, because waterfowl are a primary mechanism for transporting flu across the planet. While the birds are resistant to the ill affects of the disease, human populations are impacted every year by the millions.

With any luck, the WHO puts all that research into the making of a yearly vaccine that has the potential to save thousands of lives.

by SEPP JANNOTA – Ravalli Republic

Full Story: http://www.ravallirepublic.com/articles/2009/10/21/news/news04.txt