Bird Flu Genome Study Shows New Strains, Western Spread (Science Daily) A recent study shows three distinct, independently evolving lineages of Avian Flu. The broad dispersal of the different forms of the virus throughout several different countries over a relatively short period of time points to the possibility of human movement, rather than wild birds as the reason for the quick spread of the H5N1. [News Source]

Bobby Ramakant: Avian Influenza In Egypt (Scoop.co.nz) "What is avian influenza?" asks a senior lady doctor working in one of the leading hospitals in Cairo. It is not a surprise because in present times we all are so focused with our own respective professions and interests, that it becomes hard to know all about all. [News Source]

FDA OKs 1st Bird Flu Vaccine (MedicineNet.com) Title: FDA OKs 1st Bird Flu Vaccine Category: Health News Created: 4/18/2007 Last Editorial Review: 4/18/2007 [News Source]

Map Predicting Spread Of Avian Flu (Science Daily) Scientists examined data from the 2003 outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in the Netherlands and produce a model which can predict the probability of infection from one farm to another: the "transmission kernel." They also identify high-risk areas in the Netherlands and analyze various control strategies, concluding that in these regions an epidemic can only be brought to an end by ... [News Source]

Map predicting spread of avian flu (EurekAlert!) The 2003 epidemic of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the Netherlands is the only recent epidemic of HPAI in the developed world. [News Source]

First bird flu vaccine for humans OK’d. The vaccine is less than 50 percent effective and only has a shelf life of 18 months, but the FDA says it's still worth approving and stockpiling — because in the event of a pandemic, saving some lives will be better than none. [News Source]

‘Only intensive farming’ will feed Britain. Demand for biofuels, booming economies of developing countries and climate change will put demand on food supplies that can only be met by intensive techniques, says an agriculture chief. [News Source]

Analysis: Avian flu in Egypt – fighting the virus (Middle East Times) NEW DELHI -- The Egyptian health and population ministry has announced two new human cases of the avian influenza A (H5N1) virus infection. The cases have been confirmed by Egypt's Central Public Health Laboratory and by the US Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3 (NAMRU-3). [News Source]

Bird flu genome study shows new strains as new infections spread. An international team of researchers report the first ever large-scale sequencing of western genomes of the deadly avian influenza virus, H5N1. [News Source]

FDA approves bird flu vaccine. The Food and Drug Administration approved the United States' first human vaccine for bird flu Tuesday, saying it could slow a possible pandemic despite its modest effectiveness. [News Source]

FDA approves first bird flu vaccine for humans. A bird flu vaccine won federal approval for the first time today as a stopgap measure against a potential pandemic until more effective vaccines can be developed. [News Source]

Sanofi’s bird-flu vaccine is granted FDA approval. The Food and Drug Administration approved the first vaccine to prevent avian flu in people. [News Source]