Genetically engineered bird flu vaccine completely protects chickens from the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu?

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a genetically engineered bird flu vaccine that say completely protects chickens from the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu.

“This is a very potent vaccine. It took roughly about 30 days to make the vaccine from when we received the sequence information from CDC in Atlanta,” said lead researcher Dr Andrea Gambotto of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. This new method could herald in an era of genetically engineered vaccines that are quickly made and with cleaner methods than conventional vaccine production, which takes up plenty of time and needs to be grown on chicken eggs.
More here

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

Health warning: take avian flu scare stories with a pinch of salt (about 6g)
This is form an article of The Times; and this is what I also think - only the author, Mr. Aaronovitch knows his trade better than I do. So, here is a quote (The flu pandemic, of course, requires nothing of us other than to be scared and demand vaccine. The other things require us to change.)
and here you can read the whole article. Have fun!

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

The spread
After the latest two cases of death in Turkey we in Europe are reconsidering our attitude towards the threat. And though I'm still optimistic, it might be interesting for everyone to watch the spread of the deadly virus of Avian Flu. BBC has a new feature for this.
By the way: have a happy new year!
And here is the latest on the Turkish cases.

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