Study of H5N1 avian flu seal deaths reveals multiple lineages Lisa Schnirring Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Tim Sackton / Flickr cc Share Deaths of seals from H5N1 avian influenza in seals stranded on New England beaches last summer stoked growing concerns about the susceptibility of mammals, including humans, to the virus, and now researchers have shared detailed genetic findings from both the seals and birds from the environment, noting a range of virus lineages in the animals and a low species barrier.
Isn't that exactly what happened in the pandemic in 2009 - and in 1918? A disproportionate number of young healthy adults dying, compared to babies and old folk?
I blogged about this during the pandemic (http://rybicki.wordpress.com/2009/09/14/ah1n1-2009-gets-to-parts-the-other-flu-doesnt-reach/) and noted somewhere (that I can't find) that the death toll was about as high as normal seasonal flu - but WITHOUT people over 50, who seemed to be protected by prior exposure.
This is a nasty virus: if I weren't protected by prior exposure - being over 50, I would be worried enough to be vaccinated against it specifically. So should you be!