Bird ‘flu outbreak – simulation exercise (Scoop.co.nz) Note: Operation Avis is a simulation only, of a biosecurity response to a national bird flu outbreak. This is only an exercise, but a very important one. [News Source]

Native birds at risk from bird flu (NZPA via Yahoo!Xtra News) Kiwi are one of at least 16 species of native bird that could be affected by avian influenza, if the disease enters New Zealand, the Department of Conservation (DOC) says. [News Source]

Bird flu remains dangerous as it continues to mutate (McClatchy Newspapers via Yahoo! News) WASHINGTON— Like the rumble of distant thunder, bird flu continues to spread across Asia, Africa and Europe. Although it's been out of the news lately in the United States, scientists say that avian influenza, as it's also known, remains a serious threat to human and animal health. [News Source]

China reports another bird flu outbreak in Tibet. China has reported a bird flu outbreak in poultry in Tibet, the second in the Himalayan region in two weeks. [News Source]

Indonesian minister accuses West of ‘exploiting’ bird flu. Indonesian Health Minister Siti Fadilah Supari claims the United States and World Health Organisation are part of a global conspiracy to profit from the spread of bird flu, and the US may use samples to produce biological weapons. [News Source]

China reports bird flu outbreak in Tibet, human death. Chinese authorities on Tuesday reported a fresh bird flu outbreak among poultry in Tibet, a day after confirming a 22-year-old man in central China had died of the deadly virus. [News Source]

Minister’s claims on avian flu for the birds, says US (The Age) The United States has rejected the Indonesian Health Minister's claims it is using bird flu samples to produce biological weapons, and World Health Organisation officials have condemned allegations of conspiring to profit from bird flu vaccines. [News Source]

High risk of bird flu warning (Nhân Dân) Nhan Dan - A high risk of bird flu outbreaks has been warned in localities nationwide, especially those in the Red River and Mekong deltas. [News Source]

Vietnam health officials fear bird flu could spread nationwide (EARTHtimes.org) Hanoi - Vietnam is bracing for a nationwide avian influenza outbreak in March, after the virus has spread to seven provinces and killed three people, health officials said Wednesday. If the anti-bird flu measures are not taken seriously, the human i... [News Source]