U.S. finds low-risk H5N1 bird flu strain in ducks (Reuters via Yahoo! News) Mallard ducks in Maryland have tested positive for bird flu, apparently a common, less pathogenic strain that poses no risk to humans, the U.S. Agriculture and Interior departments said on Friday. [News Source]

Indonesia launches media blitz about avian flu (CIDRAP) Sep 1, 2006 (CIDRAP News) – Indonesia launched a month-long, nationwide media campaign today to warn people to take precautions against H5N1 avian influenza, according to news services. [News Source]

USDA: Fact Sheet – Avian Influenza Updated (CattleNetwork.com) There are two types of avian influenza (AI) that are identified as H5N1. A difference exists in the virus classification; one is low pathogenic (LPAI) and the other is highly pathogenic (HPAI). Pathogenicity refers to the ability of the virus to produce disease. [News Source]

Bird flu: Who’s next? Bangladesh!The Role of Public Administration (News From Bangladesh) In comparison to malaria and diarroeal diseases, which together kill over 3 million people every year, bird flu has killed very few people. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the H5N1 virus may mutate into a new human flu virus against, which humans have no immunity. [News Source]

Expert calls for animal surveillance in Indonesia. A leading bird flu expert urged Indonesia to do more animal surveillance to curb the H5N1 virus, which has killed 46 people so far in the country, the highest death toll anywhere in the world. [News Source]

Questions surround China bird flu vaccine. China is working on a bird flu vaccine for humans and initial test results suggest it is safe and effective, but a leading expert is treating the news with caution. [News Source]