This is not cool. The bird flu virus (H5N1) strains in Africa and Europe are demonstrating a mutation that make them more infectious to humans.

Birds are literally hot; their body temperature is 106 degrees compared with our normal 98.6. Our airways are cooler still at an average of 91.4. This new flu change allows the little buggers to live well in cooler climes...such as our upper airways.

While the current influenza vaccine, of course, does not protect against bird flu, the fewer opportunities that H5N1 has to mix its genetic material with usual flu thriving in ordinary people, the better. Do consider getting a flu shot this year and every year.