If one animal is infected by both, the viruses can mix genes and give rise to an avian flu that can infect humans. Fur farms in Finland, however, aren’t being closed. Instead the Finnish Wildlife Agency allowed fur breeders to kill wild birds near their farms in large numbers. Meanwhile, officials said a sizable outbreak of H5N1 among pet cats in Poland this summer killed at least 29 animals, though cat owners have compiled lists with as many as 89 sick animals. The affected cats lived in different areas of Poland, yet their viruses had almost identical genetic sequences.

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Persons: aren’t, Tom Peacock Organizations: Finnish Food Authority, Finnish Wildlife Agency, Agency, Britain’s Imperial College Locations: Finland, Poland