H5N1

H5N1 is a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza (also known as bird flu). It was first isolated in terns in South Africa in 1961. The first known appearance of this type of flu in humans was in Hong Kong during 1997. The name refers to the subtypes of surface antigens present on the virus, Hemagglutinin type 5, and Neuraminidase type 1.
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