Virus could mutate

Two more cases of bird flu confirmed

Genetic tests have confirmed that the risk to the general population from bird flu remains low.(Bild: AP)

The US health authority CDC has confirmed two further cases of bird flu in humans. The virus was found in workers on poultry farms in the US state of Colorado who had come into contact with infected poultry.

A week ago, Colorado had already reported four confirmed infections with the H5N1 bird flu virus.

Team sent to Colorado
The CDC announced on Monday that it had sent a nine-person team of experts to Colorado to assist local authorities in assessing the outbreak and human infection cases. 

The H5N1 virus under the microscope(Bild: AP)

Virus could mutate
Scientists fear that contact with the virus on poultry and dairy farms increases the risk that the virus could mutate, bringing transmission between humans closer.

The US government has given the US biotech company Moderna 176 million dollars (161.62 million euros) to advance the development of its vaccine against bird flu.

Poultry and dairy cows infected
H5N1 avian influenza is currently spreading worldwide in wild birds and is also infecting poultry and various mammal species, including dairy cows. Genetic testing has confirmed that the risk to the general population from avian influenza remains low.