Discovery opens door for drugs to fight bird flu, other influenza epidemics (EurekAlert!) ( Rutgers University ) Researchers at Rutgers and The University of Texas at Austin have reported a discovery that could help scientists develop drugs to fight the much-feared bird flu and other virulent strains of influenza. They have determined the three-dimensional structure of a site on an influenza A virus protein that binds to one of its human protein targets, thereby suppressing a ... [News Source]

Past used to prepare for future flu (Press of Atlantic City) Antibodies found in the blood of people who were alive in 1918 could pave the way for potential treatments and plans of action if an avian-flu pandemic were to strike. [News Source]

Viet Nam successfully tests locally-made vaccine vs bird flu (Asia News Network) The first human group test of the locally-produced H5N1 influenza vaccine, Fluvax, was successful, with 30 Vietnamese students inoculated at the Military Medical Institute (MMI). [News Source]

VN-made bird-flu vaccine effective (Việt Nam News) HA NOI — The first human group test of the locally-produced H5N1 influenza vaccine, Fluvax, was successful, with thirty students inoculated at the Military Medical Institute (MMI). [News Source]

Strict precautionary measures against bird flu at check-points (Khaleej Times) ABU DHABI - Strict precautionary measures have been taken by the National Committee for Emergency Response to the Bird Flu to prevent any outbreak of the avian influenza in the country. [News Source]

Vietnam-made bird flu vaccine proves effective (Nhân Dân) Fluvax - H5N1 influenza vaccine is produced by VABIOTECH. The first human testing stage has proven the effectiveness of a locally-produced H5N1 influenza vaccine. [News Source]

N.D. birds show no dangerous flu (The Bismarck Tribune) DICKINSON (AP) - State officials say tests of birds in the state continue to show no signs of a dangerous strain of avian flu. [News Source]

Test finds bird flu strain not harmful to humans (The Providence Journal) State officials have taken measures to try to prevent the spread of the virus. [News Source]

Test finds bird flu strain not harmful to humans (The Providence Journal) PROVIDENCE — A bird flu virus strain has been found in four mute swans collected from the Seekonk River — near the Swan Point Cemetery — as part of routine surveillance by the state Department of Environmental Management. [News Source]

Vietnam May Produce Bird Flu Vaccines For Humans (Bernama) HANOI, Aug 22 (Bernama) -- Vietnam plans to make vaccines against bird flu virus strain H5N1 for humans in late 2009 after successful trials, its news agency VNA quoted a local newspaper as saying on Friday. [News Source]

Canopus Biopharma and Leading Chinese Researcher Team Up to Treat Avian Influenza, to Prevent Possible Pandemic (Thaipr.net) Major Threat Treatable With StatC(TM); FDA-Approved Drugs to Begin Testing in U.S. Animal Models An internationally renowned avian influenza expert today hailed "encouraging and exciting" re [News Source]

Biopiracy and bird flu (Salon.com) A U.S. government patent application raises a knotty question: Should a country own property rights to the diseases that afflict its citizens? [News Source]