A new strain of bird flu, H5N9, has been identified in a commercial duck farm in Merced County, California. Testing revealed that the ducks were infected with both H5N1 and H5N9 strains. Experts, including California state veterinarian Annette Jones, indicated that such findings aren't alarming as monitoring for H5 viruses is routine. The strain likely arises from a combination of H5N1 and a low-pathogenic flu virus. Richard Webby from the WHO noted that this combination does not heighten the risk of human pandemic.
This case is not unexpected or alarming," said Annette Jones, California state veterinarian, who said the California Department of Food and Agriculture is "always on alert for any H5 virus.
It is just a new serotype where the N1 segment is replaced by N9," said Henry Niman, an evolutionary molecular biologist.
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