Two papers published this week, and one last month, reveal the pandemic potential of H5N1 "bird flu". One identifies four, another identifies five, genetic changes the virus would have to undergo before it could spread easily in humans, and the third paper suggests some of these changes are already evident in circulating strains.
The papers were written last year, but were held back because of international concerns that making such data public would make it easier for terrorists to make bioweapons.
The papers were written last year, but were held back because of international concerns that making such data public would make it easier for terrorists to make bioweapons.
