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In New York City, a group of high school students is taking on the task of tracking the bird flu virus. This initiative is part of an effort to better understand how viruses spread from animals to humans, similar to what happened with COVID-19.

The virus, known as H5N1, has already spread to cows and other animals, and there have been cases of people getting infected while working closely with these animals. By involving high school students from diverse backgrounds in this research, the team hopes to not only create a more inclusive field of biologists but also to uncover potential pandemics before they escalate.

While the CDC is currently investigating a possible cluster of bird flu cases, this team of student researchers is working diligently to study the outbreak and understand its implications. This proactive approach to pandemic surveillance is crucial in preventing future health crises.

If you want to learn more about pandemic surveillance or virology, you can reach out to us at shortwave@npr.org. Stay tuned for upcoming episodes where we may cover these topics in more detail. You can listen to Short Wave on popular platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

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