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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
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Pandemic Risk Real, Mounting

Experts fear spread of disease, entrenched in avian population, to humans

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(Newser) – The danger of a worldwide bird flu epidemic is growing as the virus becomes established in the avian population, Reuters reports. World Health Organization experts today urged all nations to prepare in case the H5N1 virus mutates into a form easily transferable between humans. In birds, the strain has spread across Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe.

"We are concerned that the spread through migratory birds hasn't stopped," said a Thai expert chairing a WHO conference in Geneva. "Once the virus is established in birds, it is difficult to get rid of the virus and the possible risk to humans remains unless countries develop good control of transmission in birds."

A scientist works at the U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit-2 (NAMRU-2) in Jakarta, Indonesia, Wednesday, April 30, 2008.
A scientist works at the U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit-2 (NAMRU-2) in Jakarta, Indonesia, Wednesday, April 30, 2008.   (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
South Korean Army soldiers wearing protective suits prepare to cull chickens at a poultry farm in Gimje, South Korea, Thursday, April 17, 2008.
South Korean Army soldiers wearing protective suits prepare to cull chickens at a poultry farm in Gimje, South Korea, Thursday, April 17, 2008.   (AP Photo)
An Indonesian nurse puts a mask on a mock suspect of bird flu at a hospital during a bird flu drill in Jembrana, Indonesia Friday, April, 25, 2008.
An Indonesian nurse puts a mask on a mock suspect of bird flu at a hospital during a bird flu drill in Jembrana, Indonesia Friday, April, 25, 2008.   (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati)
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