July 01, 2009

Characterization of the H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus derived from Wild Pikas in China

Journal of Virology -- The highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus emerged from China in 1996 and has spread across Eurasia and Africa, with a continuous stream of new cases of human infection appearing since the first large-scale outbreak in migratory birds at Qinghai Lake. http://jvi.asm.org/cgi/content/abstract/JVI.00793-09v1

Posted by sball at 10:22 AM

June 30, 2009

Researchers Describe History Of Swine Flu And Warn About Using Extinct Viruses

MedicalNewsToday.com -- In a leading medical journal this week US researchers describe the 90-year history of swine flu and warn about working with "freezer" viruses, which they suspect is how an H1N1 virus that closely resembles a temporarily "extinct" 1950s strain resurrected some 20 years later and continues to circulate as a seasonal flu strain today. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155761.php

Posted by sball at 08:25 AM

June 22, 2009

Indirect Transmission Can Trigger Influenza Outbreaks In Birds

MedicalNewsToday.com -- New data on the persistence of avian influenza viruses in the environment has allowed a team of University of Georgia researchers to create the first model that takes into account both direct and indirect transmission of the viruses among birds. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/152473.php

Posted by sball at 09:14 AM

Anteaters caught (human) H1N1 flu in zoo outbreak, expanding range of wily virus

TheRecord.com -- Humans, horses, dogs, whales, seals, birds, cats, ferrets and even raccoons are known to be susceptible to the tiny eight-gene viruses. Researchers in Tennessee have now added giant anteaters to that list. http://news.therecord.com/printArticle/546149

Posted by sball at 08:17 AM

June 10, 2009

Influenza A(H1N1) and Pandemic Preparedness Under the Rule of International Law

Journal of American Medical Association (subscription)-- A novel strain of influenza A(H1N1) spread rapidly through Mexico in April 2009 and now spans the globe. http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/301/22/2376

Posted by sball at 09:15 AM

June 01, 2009

Pet Talk: Animal influenza

MarcoNews.com -- "Avian influenza is a contagious bird disease," says Dr. Sharman Hoppes, an avian specialist at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. http://www.marconews.com/news/2009/may/28/pet-talk-animal-influenza/

Posted by sball at 08:16 AM