Bird flu update: 11 September 2006 (SciDev.net) Below is a roundup of the key developments on the spread of the bird flu virus (H5N1) and the threat it poses to human health. Each title is a link to the full article. [News Source]

Progress toward avian flu vaccine (Newsday) A live but weakened experimental vaccine containing several strains of the H5N1 bird flu virus appears to protect test animals without producing side effects or unusual reactions, scientists have found in an analysis reported Tuesday. [News Source]

Bird flu virus strain found in Maryland (PhysOrg) U.S. scientists say an H5N1 avian influenza virus found earlier this month in Maryland is a low pathogenic subtype and poses no threat to humans. [News Source]

Bird flu virus strain found in Maryland (UPI) WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say an H5N1 avian influenza virus found earlier this month in Maryland is a low pathogenic subtype and poses no threat to humans. [News Source]

UK gets improved test for the deadly strain of bird flu. A more effective test for identifying bird flu in humans is now available across the UK, the Health Protection Agency announced today. [News Source]

Curb on air travel could hinder flu. The sharp dip in air travel after the 9/11 terrorist attacks delayed the flu season in the United States the following winter. [News Source]

Live bird flu virus vaccine protects animals – study. Three experimental vaccines using live but weakened versions of the H5N1 bird flu virus appeared to protect animals from infection, and might offer a way to stockpile vaccines ahead of a pandemic, US researchers said on Monday. [News Source]

Bird Flu: Avian Influenza Virus Confirmed In Maryland Ducks (CattleNetwork.com) WASHINGTON , Sept. 12, 2006 - The U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Interior today announced final test results, which confirm that an H5N1 avian influenza virus detected in fecal samples collected last month from resident wild mallard ducks in Maryland is a low pathogenic subtype. [News Source]

Uganda: Bird Flu Case Confirmed in Juba (AllAfrica.com) THERE is a confirmed outbreak of bird flu (Avian Influenza) in Juba, Southern Sudan, the Ministry of Health has announced. [News Source]

Air travel plays role in the spread of flu. The annual winter outbreak of the flu in the United States was delayed in 2001 by nearly two weeks because of the flight ban and cancellations after the September 11 terrorist attacks, American researchers said in a study published on Tuesday. [News Source]

Probing the mysterious migration of swans suspected in spread of avian flu. The migration patterns of whooper swans are poorly understood, but they may have played a role in the brief appearance of avian flu across Europe early this year. [News Source]

Travel slump after 9/11 slowed spread of influenza, study shows. Limiting airplane travel could help slow the spread of flu in a pandemic, a report suggests. [News Source]