Research sheds new light on how bird flu outbreaks begin in wild bird populations (News-Medical-Net) New data on the persistence of avian influenza viruses in the environment has allowed a team of University of Georgia researchers to create the first model that takes into account both direct and indirect transmission of the viruses among birds. The model, which is detailed in the early online edition of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, has the potential to shed new ... [News Source]

Today from VOA: (Voice of America) Three years ago the deadly H5N1 strain of the avian influenza virus landed in Africa, with the first cases reported in poultry farms in Nigeria. From there, it quickly spread across the continent, reducing demand for poultry and related products – and wrecking poultry industries. [News Source]

The dengue crisis. Dengue is on the rise again. At least 85 persons have died so far this year in Sri Lanka after getting infected with the dreaded mosquito-borne disease, and nearly 6,500 have been infected. Fifty percent of children under 12 in Colombo reportedly have been infected this year. [News Source]

News From The American Chemical Society, May 27, 2009 (Medical News Today) Bird flu virus remains infectious up to 600 days in municipal landfills Amid concerns about a pandemic of swine flu, researchers from Nebraska report for the first time that poultry carcasses infected with another threat - the "bird flu" virus - can remain infectious in municipal landfills for almost 2 years. [News Source]

Egyptian child contracts bird flu, 39 suspected cases reported (Russian Information Agency Novosti) CAIRO, June 2 (RIA Novosti) - A child has been diagnosed with bird flu in Egypt and another 39 people have been hospitalized with suspected infections, a spokesman for the country's health ministry said on Tuesday. [News Source]