Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) (KCBD-TV) Type A influenza viruses can infect several animal species, including birds, pigs, horses, seals and whales. Influenza viruses that infect birds are called “avian influenza viruses.” [News Source]

Avian flu cases confirmed in Indonesia, China (CIDRAP) Jun 15, 2006 (CIDRAP News) – The World Health Organization (WHO) today reported Indonesia's 50th human case of H5N1 avian influenza, while Chinese authorities said further tests have confirmed a case reported yesterday in a man from Guangdong province. [News Source]

Hospitals Boost Scrutiny on Avian Flu (RedNova) According to news.gov.hk: The Hospital Authority has started a three-week enhanced surveillance programme, following notification from the Guangdong Health Departmentof a suspected human case of avian flu in Shenzhen. [News Source]

Officials Take Avian Flu Threat Seriously (RedNova) By Natasha Lee, The Stamford Advocate, Conn. Jun. 15--STAMFORD -- City and state health officials said they are working on an emergency response plan to an avian flu outbreak and that preparation should be taken seriously. [News Source]

Maine tests wild birds for avian flu. Maine wildlife biologists have begun testing migratory birds for avian influenza as part of a national program to detect the deadly virus as soon as it arrives on U.S. soil. [News Source]

Leavitt in hot seat over use of leased jet. House Democrats on Wednesday demanded that Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt turn over records detailing his use of a leased jet he reportedly flew on 19 times to travel to 99 cities. [News Source]

State begins testing migratory birds for avian flu (Boston Globe) Wildlife biologists have begun testing migratory birds in Maine for avian influenza as part of a national readiness program to detect the deadly virus. [News Source]

Maine tests wild birds for avian flu (Bangor Daily News) Maine wildlife biologists have begun testing migratory birds for avian influenza as part of a national program to detect the deadly virus as soon as it arrives on U.S. soil. [News Source]

Bird flu death toll in Indonesia at 38. Indonesia has the world's second highest death toll from bird flu after Vietnam, where 42 people have died. [News Source]

Bird flu vaccine protects ferrets, maybe people. A lab-engineered bird flu vaccine protected ferrets against several strains of H5N1 avian influenza, offering the possibility of making a vaccine ahead of any pandemic, US-based scientists said on Wednesday. [News Source]

New bird flu vaccines developed. China has developed new bird flu vaccines for poultry and a new technology to help diagnose the disease, the Ministry of Agriculture reported yesterday. [News Source]

T-shirt mask could help in flu pandemic. The world may be unprepared for a bird flu pandemic, but U.S. researchers said on Wednesday they had come up with one low-tech answer to widespread shortages of medical equipment -- a mask made out of a T-shirt. [News Source]