Many eyes on influenza virus in Asia, anticipating pandemic

The number of human and animal H5N1 influenza infections in Asia are increasing in numbers, and experts predict a substantial impact from an influenza pandemic, including major damage to the national and global economies. The H5N1 strain of influenza is of special concern because it mutates rapidly and can acquire genes from viruses that infect other animal species. This will make human-to-human transmission more efficient and an influenza pandemic more likely. The Health and Human Services (HHS) have spent millions in an attempt to develop an appropriate influenza vaccine.