Avian Influenza

Newly described dragon protein could be key to bird flu cure

harminka — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 07:13:21 -0500

Scientists and researchers have taken a big step closer to a cure for the most common strain of avian influenza, or "bird flu," the potential pandemic that has claimed more than 200 lives and infected nearly 400 people in 14 countries since it was identified in 2003.

Scientists create first successful libraries of avian flu virus antibodies

harminka — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:44:40 -0500

An international group of American and Turkish research scientists, led by Sea Lane Biotechnologies, has created the first comprehensive monoclonal antibody libraries against avian influenza (H5N1) using samples from survivors of the 2005/2006 "bird flu" outbreak in Turkey.

Arbor Vita rapid H5N1 flu diagnostic presented at ICEID meeting

harminka — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:22:38 -0500

Preliminary research from the Department of Respiratory Disease Research at the Naval Health Research Center (NHRC) suggests that a rapid antigen assay test developed by Arbor Vita Corporation (AVC) shows promise as a useful diagnostic for the detection of the avian influenza virus in humans.

New Approach May Lead to Effective H5N1 Influenza A Virus Vaccine

harminka — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 07:37:51 -0500

Manipulating a previously identified protein may be the key to developing an effective H5N1 influenza A virus vaccine say researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Tokyo. They report their findings in the March 2008 issue of the Journal of Virology.

Bird Flu reaches Poland

mohammad — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 11:00:14 -0600

A fresh, eighth, outbreak of H5N1 bird flu has been confirmed in the north of the country, where the deadly virus was discovered earlier this month, the chief sanitary official said on Saturday.

Bird-flu expert calls for changes in early-warning system

harminka — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 12:53:07 -0600

The international science community is not doing enough to track the many avian influenza viruses that might cause the next pandemic, a UC Davis researcher says in today's issue of the journal Nature.

Bird flu finds children's lungs faster

harminka — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 09:12:08 -0500

New findings, reported in today in the online open access journal Respiratory Research, about how the virus binds to the respiratory tract and lung suggest children may be particularly susceptible to avian influenza,. The results also mean that previous receptor distribution studies may have to be re-evaluated.

New biosensor detects avian influenza virus in minutes instead of days

harminka — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 14:25:34 -0500

Quick identification of avian influenza infection in poultry is critical to controlling outbreaks, but current detection methods can require several days to produce results.

New research shows how H5N1 virus causes disease

harminka — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 07:43:32 -0500

H5N1 influenza, also known as avian influenza, is considered a major global threat to human health, with high fatality rates.

World Bank Staff from the Africa Region Address Avian Influenza at Multi-Sector Workshop

Anastvatz — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 01:21:02 -0500

International agencies fighting the avian flu epidemic concluded a regional workshop with a renewed call for effective and comprehensive strategies in Africa.

Avian Influenza on People's Minds

harminka — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 06:43:00 -0500

Researchers at the Food Policy Institute at the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station have conducted a nationwide survey of public knowledge, attitudes, intentions and behaviors related to the threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza. The researchers conducted a total of 1200 telephone interviews on the topic between May 3 and June 5, 2006.

Map predicting spread of avian flu

harminka — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 01:39:58 -0500

For avian influenza, the analyses show that there are two poultry-dense areas in The Netherlands where epidemic spread is possible, one in the central region and one in the south, close to the German and Belgian border (see attached figure). The authors suggest local control measures are unlikely to be able to halt an unfolding epidemic in these areas.