Flu summit prescribes self-help. A worldwide epidemic of influenza probably would overwhelm the federal government's capacity to help states so Oregonians must begin planning now for disruptions in health care, food, education and public utilities if an influenza pandemic hits Oregon. [News Source]

State plans to combat avian flu. State and federal scientists are drawing battle lines against the Asian H5N1 flu virus in Alaska, extending from the Yukon-Kuskokwim delta to the state's small domestic bird flocks. [News Source]

Glaxo starts bird flu vaccine trials. GlaxoSmithKline Plc. announced the start of human trials of two new bird flu vaccines on Thursday and said if they work, they would be ready to manufacture by the end of the year. [News Source]

Burma culls birds to fight H5N1 flu. Burma said today it has killed more than 238,000 birds, but has still not succeeded in controlling an outbreak of H5N1 bird flu under control on chicken and quail farms. [News Source]

State gets checkup on bird flu. California has taken some solid steps to prepare for a possible pandemic of avian influenza, but several key roadblocks remain — including the limited capacity of hospitals to care for sick people. [News Source]