How the pandemic swine flu virus came to be. The virus behind the current influenza pandemic may be known as swine flu, but it didn't come only from pigs. Wild birds and humans also played a role in its creation. Scientists are trying to unravel how it thrives. [News Source]

Death on the wing. The director of the Australian Animal Health Laboratory says the frequency of animal-borne diseases is growing. He singles out China as a giant "cooking pot" for exotic new viruses to jump species, with the world's biggest concentration of humans mingling more with exotic wildlife and intensive livestock. [News Source]

Studies show one dose of H1N1 vaccine may be enough. Two studies published on Thursday confirmed that a single dose of swine flu vaccine can protect people from the new pandemic H1N1 virus -- welcome news to global health officials who had worried that people might need two doses. [News Source]

Don’t be fooled: Swine flu still poses a deadly threat. Swine flu has still not grown more severe, as many feared it would. But as the pandemic's second--or autumn--wave begins in the northern hemisphere, the virus is posing a different threat. [News Source]

First swine flu death on the Galapagos. The spread of swine flu on the Galapagos Islands shows that islands are no longer in evolutionary isolation. [News Source]

U.S. races to get millions of swine flu doses ready. In a contest that pits human against virus, the U.S. government is evaluating the safety and effectiveness of swine flu vaccine in hopes of having millions of doses ready for use before the next wave of the pandemic H1N1 sweeps across the nation. [News Source]

Canada to offer pregnant women modified vaccine. The unadjuvanted swine flu shot will be available to help ease reluctance many pregnant women feel about taking any medication. [News Source]

Did public health experts overstate the threat posed by H1N1? One-size-fits-all might work for tube socks and trucker caps. But it’s no good when it comes to preparing for pandemic flu, according to an article published in Friday’s edition of the British Medical Journal. [News Source]

WHO expert says no doubt H1N1 vaccines will work. H1N1 vaccines should offer broad protection even if the pandemic flu virus mutates as it spreads, a top World Health Organisation expert said on Wednesday. [News Source]

Swine CAFOS and novel H1N1 flu: Separating facts from fears. One potential source of the original outbreak of swine flu -- concentrated animal feeding operations-- has received comparatively little attention by public health officials, even though they facilitate mutation of viral pathogens into novel strains. [News Source]

Antibacterial soaps and products made without triclosan. Once you've read the indictment against triclosan, it's easy to decide you don't want to use the substance. Harder, if you use liquid soap, is finding a product that doesn't use include triclosan for its supposed antibacterial qualities. [News Source]