Bird flu coming to N. America. As they embark on their annual spring migration, Asian ducks and geese may be carrying some unwelcome baggage -- the highly virulent H5N1 avian-flu virus -- that they could pass on to their American neighbors [News Source]

Fed health chief says U.S. unready for bird flu. Top Bush administration officials are bracing for the arrival of the feared H5N1 strain of avian influenza into the United States within a matter of months, with the virus most likely to be carried here by migratory birds. [News Source]

Human deaths from bird flu to pass 100. The world is about to reach a grim milestone, with the confirmation of the 100th death from H5N1 bird flu expected this week. [News Source]

How we should plan for bird flu? Scientists say we're overdue for a worldwide flu pandemic. As Santa Clara County's public health officer, Dr. Martin Fenstersheib is responsible for making sure people are ready. [News Source]

Name that bird flu. If an avian flu virus struck a chicken flock in the Northwest, a cumbersome testing procedure would take three to four days to determine what kind it is. [News Source]

EU lab confirms bird flu found in Sweden. Sweden recorded its first case of the deadly H5N1 bird flu strain on Wednesday, saying European laboratory tests confirm two birds found dead in the southeast were infected with the virus. [News Source]

Newspapers move US mad cow story off front pages. Mad cow disease is no longer front-page news at many leading newspapers. which put stories of the latest U.S. case on the inside of Tuesday's editions. [News Source]

B.C. bird flu diagnosis. Agriculture and Lands Minister Pat Bell says the poultry industry has not moved quickly enough to prevent another outbreak of bird flu and the government will take action if things don't improve. [News Source]

Switzerland confirms bird flu in wild ducks. Swiss authorities said on Tuesday that they had discovered two new cases of the broad H5 bird flu virus family in wild ducks. [News Source]

Farmers face ongoing environmental issues. The years ahead will require farmers to know more and more about technology. [News Source]

Secret avian flu archive. At a time when health authorities are racing to head off a possible avian flu pandemic, it is distressing to learn that the World Health Organization is operating a secret database that holds the virus's genetic information. [News Source]