Dec 16, 2012
FAIRBANKS — The trap was baited and set, but the ducks weren’t
cooperating, which wouldn’t have been a big deal had the temperature not
been 30 degrees below zero.
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Lindberg and Meixell, a biologist with U.S. Geological Survey in
Anchorage, are using the ducks to study how avian influenza viruses move
through a bird population. Specifically, Lindberg and Meixell are
trying to figure out what percentage of ducks are infected with the bird
flu, how long they are infected and how long they are immune to
infection.
“We think they have immunity throughout much of the winter but we don’t know,” Lindberg said.
Waterfowl,
for the most part, shorebirds and coastal birds to a lesser extent, are
the major reservoir of avian influenza virus in North America. More
viruses have been isolated from ducks than any other species, Lindberg
said.
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