Instant Genius is a bite-sized masterclass in podcast form. In this episode, we're joined by Dr Alastair Ward, associate professor of biodiversity and ecosystem management at the University of Leed, to explore the recent outbreak of bird flu.

This year, over 160 million domestic birds have died due to the virus, many in the UK. In fact, half of the country's turkey stock has been killed or culled.

So, why has it spread so widely? What actually happens when a bird gets the flu? And could humans be at risk?

Find Instant Genius on your preferred podcast platform here: instantgenius.podlink.to/Podcast

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Authors

Thomas Ling
Thomas LingDigital editor, BBC Science Focus

Thomas is Digital editor at BBC Science Focus. Writing about everything from cosmology to anthropology, he specialises in the latest psychology, health and neuroscience discoveries. Thomas has a Masters degree (distinction) in Magazine Journalism from the University of Sheffield and has written for Men’s Health, Vice and Radio Times. He has been shortlisted as the New Digital Talent of the Year at the national magazine Professional Publishers Association (PPA) awards. Also working in academia, Thomas has lectured on the topic of journalism to undergraduate and postgraduate students at The University of Sheffield.

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