Since mutations can occur across several gene segments in the genome of AIVs, multiple alignments for all viral strains based on the subgroup of interest (i.e. host, region, year, a particular residue, etc.)rather than by gene segment (i.e. HA, NA, PB2, etc.)will be useful to identify multiple amino acid types associated with viral pathogenicity in animals or the potential risk for human infections. The gene discussed is XK; the disease is infection.