Flu-drug stockpiles are doubled as Britain gets ready for a pandemic. The emergency stockpile of flu drugs will be doubled in Britain so that half of the population is covered in the event of a pandemic, Alan Johnson, the Health Secretary, announced yesterday. [News Source]

Bird flu restrictions are lifted (BBC News) National restrictions on bird gatherings in place since the recent bird flu outbreak are lifted, Defra said. [News Source]

Bird flu restrictions are lifted (BBC News) National restrictions on bird gatherings in place since the recent bird flu outbreak are lifted, Defra said. [News Source]

 Avian influenza update: bird gatherings permitted outside restricted zone (Government News Network) Defra today announced that it is lifting the ban on bird gatherings, shows and pigeon racing which has been in place since confirmation of avian influenza in Suffolk on 12 November. This decision is based on expert consideration of surveillance and tracing results. [News Source]

 Avian influenza update: bird gatherings permitted outside restricted zone (Government News Network) Defra today announced that it is lifting the ban on bird gatherings, shows and pigeon racing which has been in place since confirmation of avian influenza in Suffolk on 12 November. This decision is based on expert consideration of surveillance and tracing results. [News Source]

Pandemic flu drug order doubles. Britain is doubling its stockpile of antiviral medicines in preparation for any future flu pandemic -- enough to treat about half the British population - the proportion scientists now believe could be hit by a pandemic. [News Source]

Bird flu jabs for poultry workers (Gulf Daily News) More than 1,000 poultry workers are now being vaccinated against influenza to help their defences against bird flu, it emerged yesterday. [News Source]