Model enables risk predictions for avian flu

Abstract

Avian influenza (AI) is an infectious viral respiratory disease that normally affects birds. However, due to the ability of the virus to mutate and its zoonotic pandemic potential, cases of human and other mammalian infections are becoming increasingly frequent. The effects of AI on local and global economies are huge and could become devastating. Research has found that most countries are not well prepared to cope with a possible avian influenza pandemic.