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However, bird flu transmission to humans is rare.
So far the H7N6 virus is confined to 1 farm in the southern province of Otago, and birds are to be destroyed in the hope of preventing the spread.
This new case brings the total number of bird flu cases in people in the United States to 55 this year, with 29 in California.
The child had no known contact with an infected animal, but public health experts are investigating a possible exposure to wild birds.
The farm is not a commercial operation, so there is no threat to the national pork supply, according to the USDA.
Participants dosed with the vaccine will be tested for their response to ‘pre-pandemic avian influenza strain H7N9.’
Preparation have begun as Australia enters migration season.
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek is concerned avian influenza could present an extinction risk to some birds.
Australian Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said Australia ‘cannot rest on our laurels.’
This is the second case of bird flu detected in the ACT and 12th in Australia.
While scientists strive to improve human health and well-being, gain-of-function research could cause more harm than good.
More than 1.2 million birds have been culled in Australia.
H5N1 was discovered in dairy cows in March—marking the first time dairy cattle have become infected. It has since been found in 200 animals and three people.
