Just when you thought you could scratch bird flu off your list of things to worry about in 2009, the deadly H5N1 virus has resurfaced in poultry in Hong Kong for the first time in six years, reinforcing warnings that the threat of a human pandemic isn’t over. India, Bangladesh, Vietnam and mainland China also [...]
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is seeking public comments on a draft quantitative food safety risk assessment for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus from consumption of poultry products, shell eggs and egg products. The risk assessment was done in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human [...]
“Scientists are on their way to developing an effective antidote for botulinum toxin – one of the world’s most feared biological weapons.” (BBC News)
“Drug-resistant forms of the disease are widespread, and time and money to fight it are short.” (LA Times)
“China and Pakistan have announced bird flu outbreaks among poultry, a day after two women, one in China and one in neighbouring Vietnam, died of the virus.” (Sydney Morning Herald)
“As the U.S. flu season soars, the CDC says this year’s flu vaccine doesn’t match two of the three main types of flu bugs now in circulation. That doesn’t mean the vaccine won’t work. Vaccinated people who catch the flu get a much milder disease. This can make a life-or-death difference to people who are [...]
“The federal government’s voluminous plans for dealing with pandemic flu do not adequately account for the overwhelming strain an outbreak would place on hospitals and public health systems trying to cope with millions of seriously ill Americans, some public health experts and local health officials say.” (Washington Post)
“The rooster started to crow at the unusually early hour of 3 a.m. and Partoparmin, a farmer in this small hillside village, went into his yard to look. All around him, chickens were lying on the ground, twitching and shaking. “A few minutes later they were dead,” said Partoparmin, 60. “Right away I thought, this [...]
“House Democrats accused the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Tuesday of covering up the long-term health hazards — possibly including cancer — that are linked to formaldehyde in hurricane trailers. Rep. Bennie Thompson, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, said at a committee hearing it is “unacceptable” that FEMA did not begin testing formaldehyde [...]
“The Senate Homeland Security Chairman urged the Department of Homeland Security to provide answers to questions submitted three months ago regarding the multiple entries of a Mexican national carrying a dangerous strain of tuberculosis.” (Washington Times)