Avian flu: the basics (Springfield News-Sun) The first case of Avian flu in a human was recorded in 1997. It was the first time a bird flu jumped from bird to human. So far humans have been infected only through direct contact with domesticated birds such as poultry. No human-to-human transmission has been recorded. [News Source]

Risks from animal diseases growing. Diseases spread by birds, mosquitoes, cattle, and other animals are a growing problem for humans -- affecting millions of people a year, according to a new study. [News Source]

China gives in, shares its samples of bird flu (Miami Herald) After more than a year of international pressure, China acquiesced Friday to demands that it share samples of avian influenza virus with global health authorities but rejected a report that a new vaccine-resistant strain of the disease is spreading. [News Source]