When people think of #virology, they rarely think of a week at the beach. But for the last 38 years, #StJude #avianflu hunters have traveled to #DelawareBay to collect #birdpoop which, this year, will help provide context for the ongoing #pandemic. https://bit.ly/43DRV8K #StJudeResearch #FluResearch

At the end of May, #NewYorkTimes reporter Emily Anthes accompanied #StJude #virologists on their yearly trek to #DelawareBay in #NewJersey to document their collection of #birdpoop. #Virologist Dr. Robert Webster, now St. Jude emeritus faculty, started going to the area in 1985. “Delaware Bay has turned into an influenza gold mine,” he says. “And we will continue to mine that gold mine until we’ve found the answers.” Follow their journey. http://bit.ly/3IVn1AA #FluResearch

The #H5N1 #fluvirus poses a great unknown threat to birds and humans. For decades, #StJude #virologists have been mining #DelawareBay each year to expand their knowledge and to help thwart possible #influenza outbreaks. Learn how: http://bit.ly/3IVn1AA @emilyanthes @nytimes #StJudeResearch #FluResearch

#Flu & other infections pose risks to people w/compromised immune systems, especially #pediatriccancer patients. #StJude has been a global leader in #fluresearch since #virologist Dr Robert Webster came in 1968. From his initial studies, we were designated a #WorldHealthOrganization Collaborating Centre for Studies on Ecology of #Influenza in Animals & Birds in 1975. Drs Richard Webby & Stacey Schultz-Cherry now lead the center. We work with 6 other #WHO Global centers. https://lnkd.in/gcptCHf2