Researchers cracking the code of bird flu time bomb

Australian scientists say they have found a safer way to study the bird flu virus, giving researchers a greater chance to solve the H5N1 strain. – Researchers at Griffith University Institute for Glycomics, Queensland led by Professor Mark von Itzstein have developed a technique to ‘crack-the-code’ of the deadly H5N1 avian influenza virus. It will enable influenza virus specialists and drug researchers to interrogate one of the virus’ key surface proteins without risk of infection.

New bird flu outbreak at Karachi poultry farm, Pakistan

Pakistani authorities culled thousands of birds to control an outbreak of avian flu at poultry farms in the city of Karachi. – A new outbreak of the avian flu in Pakistan reported by the Pakistani authorities, and authorities took steps to cull a large number of birds at a poultry farm in the Karachi city, where 5,500 chickens died of the deadly disease earlier this week.

Bird flu situation improving, says Indian minister

Bird flu situation in West Bengal, eastern India, had not worsened, instead it is showing signs of “overall improvement”. – Bird flu situation in West Bengal, eastern India, had not worsened, instead it is showing signs of “overall improvement”, said state Animal Resources Minister Anisur Rehman, “the state had set a target to cull 4,00,000 chickens within seven days of which 60,000-70,000 had already been culled”.

Three more H5N1 bird flu deaths in Egypt

Egyptian officials announced two new deaths from H5N1 avian influenza in women from the Nile Delta, along with what appears to be a third death involving a 50-year-old woman. – Two new deaths from H5N1 avian influenza in women from the Nile Delta reported by Egyptian officials, and a third death involving a 50-year-old woman whose infection was previously confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO).

8 human cases of H5N1 avian influenza in Peshawar, Pakistan

The World Health Organization warned Monday that countries should be on alert for bird flu because it is again on the move, with Pakistan reporting South Asia’s first human infections and Myanmar logging its first human case. – The Ministry of Health in Pakistan has informed WHO of 8 suspected human cases of H5N1 avian influenza infection in the Peshawar area of the country. These cases were detected following a series of culling operations in response to outbreaks of H5N1 in poultry. One of the cases has now recovered and a further two suspected cases have since died.

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