Maping of black swan genome

Scientists from the University of Queensland, Australia have mapped the black swan genome to better understand the immune response.
The Black Swan is highly susceptible to the avian flu virus.
The researchers wanted to understand as to why black swans were so susceptible to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) usually occurs in birds and can sometimes spill over to humans.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization consider six countries to be endemic for the HPAI virus in poultry as of 2011, namely Bangladesh, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia and Vietnam.
More than 50 per cent of the 800 people infected globally by HPAI since 2003 have not survived.
The black swan is a large water bird.
Mainly found in the southeast and southwest regions of Australia.
IUCN Status: Least Concerned