Human To Human Transmission Of Bird Flu

Testsindicate that a father diagnosed with bird flu in China probably caughtthe disease from his son, only increasing concern about transmission ofthe virus between humans. This was published early online and in theApril 2008 issue of The Lancet. As of April 2, 2008, there have been 376 cases of infection with the highly pathogenic avianinfluenza A (H5N1) virus with 238 deaths reported in 14 differentcountries since November 2003.

Examining The Avian Flu: From Pandemic Planning To Vaccine Development

The journal Respirology has launched a special supplementary issue on the avian influenza. Published by Wiley-Blackwell, the collection of papers present an inclusive insight into the threat of the avian influenza pandemic by addressing a wide range of topics including the basic biology of the virus, updates on laboratory diagnosis and influenza anti-viral, treatment options, and pandemic planning.

AirInSpace Is Certified To Protect Aircraft Passengers And Crew From Biological Threats Such As SARS And Avian Flu And Other Air Contaminants

AirInSpace, a leading supplier of mobile devices that "catch and kill" harmful and resistant biological particles from the air, announced that its partner, Montreal-based Air Data Inc. (ADI), has been certified by the airworthiness branch of Transport Canada to manufacture and market ADI's JetAir Bio-Protection System (BPS), business jet version.

New Vaccine May Give Long-term Defense Against Deadly Bird Flu And Its Variant Forms

A new vaccine under development may provide protection against highly pathogenic bird flu and its evolving forms, according to researchers at Purdue University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who discovered the new preventative drug and have tested it in mice.

Identification Of The Common Mechanism Underlying Acute Respiratory Disease Syndrome May Lead To New Strategies Against Bird Flu

The Spanish flu outbreak of 1918 killed between 30 and 50 million people. In the infected patients, the ultimate cause of death was acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This fatal condition is a massive reaction of the body during which the lung becomes severely damaged.

Study Results Detail Bird Flu Migration, Provide Means To Measure Intervention Success

Several strains of the bird flu virus that raged across southern China were blocked from entering Thailand and Vietnam, UC Irvine researchers have discovered.This first-ever statistical analysis of influenza A H5N1's genetic diversity helps scientists better understand how the virus migrates and could, in the future, help health officials determine whether efforts to thwart its spread were successful.

Bird Flu Could Strike Again In India, FAO Warns

India is to be commended for its successful efforts to control the recent worst-ever outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the state of West Bengal, FAO said. The agency warned, however, that intensive surveillance should continue in high-risk areas as the possibility of new outbreaks remains high.

Influenza Epidemics Due To Hybrid Viruses

A recent article published in the open-access journal PLoSPathogens maintains that over its evolutionary history, reassortment of the influenza A virus happens often.Genetic reassortment is when genetic material mixes from two similarviruses that are infecting the same cell.

Animal Magnetism Provides A Sense Of Direction

They may not be on most people's list of most attractive species, but bats definitely have animal magnetism. Researchers from the Universities of Leeds and Princeton have discovered that bats use a magnetic substance in their body called magnetite as an 'internal compass' to help them navigate.

Novel Hybrid Viruses Caused Major Mid-Century Influenza Epidemics

Reassortment of the influenza A virus occurs frequently throughout its evolutionary history, according to a new study published February 29 in the open-access journal PLoS Pathogens. Researchers at Pennsylvania State University and the National Institute of Health used an evolutionary analysis of influenza viruses sampled from 1918 - 2005 to investigate the influenza viruses that cause seasonal epidemics in humans, particularly those where mortality was unusually high.