Data on Bird Flu cases and deatht - WHO
Each case of death is one too much, nevertheless, if you look at the data published by the WHO, you will possibly calm down a bit: this year a total of 140 cases of Avian Flu have been reported to and recorded by the organisation, with the total number of deaths amounted to 73. The death rate is in fact very alarming: more than every second of those affected by the virus died.

Technorati Tags: Flu, Avian Flu, bird flu, prevention , scam , panic

US FDA stops marketing "bogus" flu productsAccording to Reuters, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had warned nine companies to stop marketing "bogus" flu products. The products, including capsules that allegedly contain bacteria from dirt and other assorted immune system "boosters," all claim or claimed to help prevent or treat avian flu.

"FDA is not aware of any scientific evidence that demonstrates the safety or effectiveness of these products for treating or preventing avian flu and the agency is concerned that the use of these products could harm consumers or interfere with conventional treatments," the agency said in a statement.

"The use of unproven flu cures and treatments increases the risk of catching and spreading the flu rather than lessening it because people assume they are protected and safe and they aren't," said Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach, acting FDA commissioner.

Technorati Tags: Flu, Avian Flu, bird flu, prevention , scam , panic

Shall we beleive?Scientists at a French pharmaceutical company say preliminary tests on a prototype of a pandemic flu vaccine look promising.

Technorati Tags: Flu, Avian Flu, bird flu, prevention , scam , panic

This is not a new Tsunami
I had a lot to do so I neglected this blog a bit; but it seems to me that not much has happened - of course there are at least a dozen new news items every day aimed at me and you with the purpose of intensifying the scare; but, thanks God, this bird flu doesn't look like a new Tsunami.
On the other hand I found this article on Convergence Weekly: it is documenting what it calls Washington's vaccine scams. Interesting.

Technorati Tags: Flu, Avian Flu, bird flu, prevention , scam , panic

The Bird Flu Pandemic: Panic and Prevention
Comment and analysis from Kingston, London, Budapest, Nairobi, New Delhi and Hong Kong from Worldpress.org.
Its not brand new but its very interesting.

Technorati Tags: Flu, cold, bird flu, prevention

FDA Warns Companies on Bird Flu Remedy Claims
The FDA sent warning letters to the nine companies saying they are presenting misleading and unproven claims. Claims made by the companies about their treatments include phrases like “prevents avian flu,” “a natural virus shield” and “kills the virus,” the FDA said.

Technorati Tags: Flu, cold, bird flu, prevention

A survivor's report
I don't know how well this story from the BBC's Vietnam service is known.It had been published back in february, but it is very interesting and informative. A survivor of the Avian Flu, Nguyen Thanh Hung tells his story just after having been released from hospital where both he and his brother had been patients. Hung was back at home with his wife and children, but his brother had died from his illness.
One thing is sure: they both consumed a Vietnamese dish, made with chopped congealed raw duck blood and herbs.
So, before reading the whole story, my question: how often do you eat raw duck blood?
The more you eat this, the more likely it is that you'll be sick!

Technorati Tags: Flu, cold, bird flu, prevention

World Bank Aid Ready: Grants Available
The World Bank has earmarked a US$1 billion global war chest for avian+flu.

Technorati Tags: Flu, cold, bird flu, prevention

Row over wild birds' flu role
There is little evidence to suggest migrating birds are spreading avian flu, a conservation group has said - says a story on BBC Online.

Technorati Tags: Flu, avian flu, bird flu, prevention

The WHO on consuming poultry
Chicken and other poultry are safe to eat if cooked properly, according to a joint statement by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) issued to national food safety authorities. However, no birds from flocks with disease should enter the food chain.

Developing countries looking for an answer
This is a report from Voice of America; it is almost a month old, but as far as I know not much of has reached the press. It says that representatives of developing countries attended a world summit on birdflu and human influenza and said they were taking measures to combat bird flu to prevent the disease from spreading to humans. Hundreds of animal and health experts were working on a plan of action to prevent a human influenza pandemic at World Health Organization headquarters in Geneva.
It seems that developing countries affected by the Avia Infulenza - like Vietnam - and those which are not directly threatened yet take the problem seriously, but they noted that have very little money to do the job properly.They say they expect a financial commitment from richer countries to help the poorer nations carry out programs essential for protecting animal and human health.

Are you ready for Avian Flu?
Not I'm asking this question, but ZDNet, a forum for tech-freaks, and, yes, you are rigth, they are helping you to prepare (that is if you are someone employing lots of people who might not turn up at work, should suddenly a birdflu broke out. An organizational what to do list, or something like that. Cheer up!