W Bengal govt allays fears of human bird flu (Gulf Times) KOLKATA: The West Bengal government yesterday allayed fears of human infection in the avian-flu hit state saying a health worker who fell ill after culling of poultry tested negative for the presence of the virus. [News Source]

WB: Mop-up drive over, Bird flu hits new blocks (NDTV) Are the affected poultry breeders justly compensated? West Bengal on Saturday claimed to have almost completed the mop-up drive in 13 bird flu-hit districts even as the Centre's plan to start culling in a 5-km radius of the state faced opposition from poultry breeders in Orissa. [News Source]

U.S. flu outbreak plan criticized. The federal government's voluminous plans for dealing with pandemic flu do not adequately account for the overwhelming strain an outbreak would place on hospitals and public health systems. [News Source]

No fears of human infection from avian flu: official (Hindustan Times) A senior official on Saturday allayed fears of human infection in avian-flu hit West Bengal even as a health worker who fell sick during culling of poultry remained under surveillance. [News Source]

Indonesia sees 102nd bird flu death (Gulf Times) JAKARTA: A 31-year-old woman from the Indonesian capital died from the H5N1 strain of the avian influenza virus, bringing Indonesia’s bird flu death toll to 102, the world’s highest, Health Ministry officials said yesterday. [News Source]

26 people put in isolation with bird flu symptoms (Gulf Times) KOLKATA: The government has put 26 people in isolation with bird flu symptoms and hundreds more are being monitored, officials said yesterday. The government is battling its worst outbreak of avian influenza, which has spread to 13 of West Bengal’s 19 districts. [News Source]