A La Trobe academic is available to discuss reports that ‘bird flu’ has been detected in Australia.
Dr Emma Grant
ARC DECRA Research Fellow, La Trobe Institute of Molecular Science (LIMS)
Dr Grant is a viral immunologist with research focusing on understanding immune responses to viruses, with a particular interest in influenza viruses.
Contact: e.grant@latrobe.edu.au media@latrobe.edu.au, or 0487 448 734
The following can be attributed to Dr Grant:
“There are many different strains of influenza virus which can infect a range of mammals including humans, poultry, aquatic birds, horses and pigs.”
“However, due to the way avian flu transmits, the risk to the general public is very low.”
“Influenza viruses bind to specific proteins in the respiratory tract and these proteins differ slightly between humans and other animals susceptible to influenza virus infection. Therefore, transmission of avian influenza viruses to humans is uncommon, as are instances of human-to-human transmission”.
“The influenza virus strain responsible for the outbreak on the farm in West Victoria is reported to be a H7N7 virus, a different strain from the H5N1 strain currently being seen across the USA.
“Avian influenza viruses can spread quickly through animals, and farmers will need to remain vigilant.
Contact details:
Elaine Cooney
E.Cooney@latrobe.edu.au
0487 448 734