http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/bird_flu/ Bird Flu News. Learn about current research on avian influenza including bird flu spread, vaccines, treatment, flu pandemic risks and more. en-us Fri, 16 May 2008 16:05:01 EDT Fri, 16 May 2008 16:05:01 EDT 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/bird_flu/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080504153820.htm One of the tactics used by influenza virus to take over the machinery of infected cells has been laid bare by structural biologists. A new high-resolution image has been published showing a key protein domain whose function is to allow the virus to multiply by hijacking the host cell protein production machinery. Tue, 06 May 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080504153820.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080417130539.htm Multiple lethal pathogens such as H5N1 avian flu trigger acute lung injury with a high death rate. Scares of an epidemic have led to an increasing interest in understanding the molecular mechanisms that lead to this condition. Scientists have now identified oxidative stress and innate immunity as a common pathway that controls the severity of ARDS. Mon, 21 Apr 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080417130539.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080417152027.htm A new vaccine under development may provide protection against highly pathogenic bird flu and its evolving forms, according to researchers who discovered the new preventative drug and have tested it in mice. Sun, 20 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080417152027.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080416141011.htm Seasonal influenza strains constantly evolve in overlapping epidemics in Asia and sweep the rest of the world each year, an international research team has found. These findings suggest that by focusing surveillance efforts on East and Southeast Asia, researchers may be able to extend their forecast of the flu strains most likely to cause epidemics, which may in turn help experts decide which strains should go in the flu vaccine each year. Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080416141011.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080414174851.htm Scientists have created the first comprehensive monoclonal antibody libraries against avian influenza using samples from survivors of the 2005/2006 "bird flu" outbreak in Turkey. These antibody libraries hold the promise for developing a therapy that could stop a pandemic in its tracks and provide treatment to those infected, as well as potentially pointing the way towards the development of a universal flu vaccine. Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080414174851.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080410115420.htm Migratory birds make mistakes in terms of direction, but not distance. Scientists assessed several thousand reports of Asian birds from the leaf-warbler and thrush families that had strayed to Europe. Tue, 15 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080410115420.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080408112101.htm A range of new technologies including genetic modification and RNA Interference are being deployed to improve the health of farm animals in a series of European and global initiatives. New technologies under the banner of GM have the potential to provide disease resistance with huge benefits for human health, animal welfare, and the agricultural sector, but only if public confidence can be restored. Fri, 11 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080408112101.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080405170910.htm Don't be surprised if you see of hundreds of dead birds along the southeastern shore of the Great Salt Lake during the next few weeks. More than 15,000 birds died on the lake last fall. Most of the birds were eared grebes. Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080405170910.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080330203401.htm A new finding may account for why the flu virus is more infectious in cold winter temperatures than during the warmer months. At winter temperatures, the virus's outer covering, or envelope, hardens to a rubbery gel that could shield the virus as it passes from person to person, the researchers have found. At warmer temperatures, however, the protective gel melts to a liquid phase. But this liquid phase apparently isn't tough enough to protect the virus against the elements, and so the virus loses its ability to spread from person to person. Tue, 01 Apr 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080330203401.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080401081956.htm Researchers studied the genetic and epidemic characteristics of influenza A viruses circulated in humans in Fujian Province, south of China from 1996 to 2004. Phylogenetic analysis was carried out for hemagglutinin1 gene. The study revealed that the mutations of HA1 genes were limited to some key codons at or near antibody binding sites. The mutations at the antibody binding site B or A or sialic acid receptor binding site 226 were critical for antigenic drift. Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080401081956.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080330200647.htm Some of the worst threats to farm workers and farm animals such as bird flu, foot-and-mouth disease and other emerging viruses could soon be quickly identified by using a newly developed simple screening chip. Mon, 31 Mar 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080330200647.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080326181733.htm Manipulating a previously identified protein may be the key to developing an effective H5N1 influenza A virus vaccine. Since its emergence in 1997, the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H5N1) has affected wild birds and poultry in more than 10 Asian countries as well as Europe and Africa. A total of 321 confirmed human cases have occurred since late 2003 resulting in 194 deaths and a fatality rate of approximately 60%. Fri, 28 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080326181733.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080314095059.htm The discovery of a new bird comes with a twist: It's a white-eye, but its eye isn't white. Still, what this new bird lacks in literal qualities it makes up for as one of the surprises that nature still has tucked away in little-explored corners of the world. Ornithologists describe for science a new species of bird from the Togian Islands of Indonesia -- Zosterops somadikartai, or Togian white-eye. Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080314095059.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080312160247.htm One of the world's most endangered species -- a North Island brown kiwi -- has just hatched at the Smithsonian's National Zoo Bird House. Keepers had been incubating the egg for five weeks, following a month long incubation by the chick's father, carefully monitoring it for signs of pipping: the process in which the chick starts to break through the shell. The chick remained in an isolet for four days and is now in a specially designed brooding box. Mon, 17 Mar 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080312160247.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080310170640.htm By using computer simulations and modeling, researchers have determined how a pandemic influenza outbreak might travel through a city similar in size to Chicago, Ill. This information helped them to determine the preferred intervention strategy to contain a potential flu pandemic, including what people should do to decrease the likelihood of disease transmission. An outbreak in the US could be mitigated with prompt implementation of social-distancing measures combined with antiviral treatment and prophylaxis until a vaccine is available, the study suggests. Wed, 12 Mar 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080310170640.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080304105825.htm The exchange of genetic material between two closely related strains of the influenza A virus may have caused the 1947 and 1951 human flu epidemics, according to biologists. The findings could help explain why some strains cause major pandemics and others lead to seasonal epidemics. Fri, 07 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080304105825.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080229075244.htm Reassortment of the influenza A virus occurs frequently throughout its evolutionary history, according to a new study in PLoS Pathogens. The researchers found that the severe influenza epidemics of 1947 and 1951 were caused by genetic reassortment events in which two human influenza viruses of the same H1N1 strain exchanged genetic material, producing a new hybrid virus in both cases. Mon, 03 Mar 2008 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080229075244.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080227164121.htm New research has uncovered information that may someday lead to a better flu vaccine. While the research is an early step toward a better vaccine, the findings track a little-understood immune system cell's response to an influenza infection and reveal new information about where it is most concentrated in the body. Fri, 29 Feb 2008 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080227164121.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080226213457.htm Several strains of the bird flu virus that raged across southern China were blocked from entering Thailand and Vietnam, researchers have discovered. This first-ever statistical analysis of influenza A H5N1's genetic diversity helps scientists better understand how the virus migrates and could, in the future, help health officials determine whether efforts to thwart its spread were successful. Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080226213457.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080226213443.htm They may not be on most people's list of most attractive species, but bats definitely have animal magnetism. Researchers have discovered that bats use a magnetic substance in their body called magnetite as an "internal compass" to help them navigate. Researchers studied the directions in which different groups of big brown bats flew after they were given different magnetic pulses and released 20 km north of their home roost. Wed, 27 Feb 2008 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080226213443.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080218172441.htm Researchers have explained why two mutations in the H1N1 avian flu virus were critical for viral transmission in humans during the 1918 pandemic outbreak that killed at least 50 million people. The team showed that the 1918 influenza strain developed two mutations in a surface molecule called hemagglutinin, which allowed it to bind tightly to receptors in the human upper respiratory tract. Tue, 19 Feb 2008 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080218172441.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080212162009.htm Surgeons have restored the sight of a golden eagle. The bird underwent pioneering eye surgery after it flew into electricity cables badly damaging its eyesight. It is believed the shock caused a cataract to develop and the 14lb bird of prey was taken to the Small Animal Hospital where the tricky surgery was carried out. It is the first time a procedure to remove a cataract caused by trauma has been carried out on a golden eagle. Fri, 15 Feb 2008 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080212162009.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080211172510.htm A new study recommends that workers on pig farms be monitored as part of influenza pandemic preparedness, after a child on a communal farm in Canada was diagnosed with swine flu in 2006. Though the seven-month-old boy made a full recovery, health researchers were concerned because of evidence that the virus spread to other members of the multi-family community, who, fortunately, all demonstrated mild or no apparent illness. It has been known for a long time that avian and swine strains of flu can spread to humans, with avian strains appearing to be more dangerous than swine strains; as of late 2007, the avian flu had killed 194 people in 321 cases reported worldwide. Fri, 15 Feb 2008 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080211172510.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080213133330.htm A way to boost an organism's natural anti-virus defenses has been discovered, effectively making its cells immune to influenza and other viruses. The process -- which could lead to the development of new anti-viral therapies in humans -- involved knocking out two genes in mice that repress production of the protein interferon, the cell's first line of defense against viruses. Thu, 14 Feb 2008 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080213133330.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080212085836.htm Noroviruses, which are highly contagious, cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. While most people recover within a few days, the very young and old may experience severe disease. Although maintaining hydration is essential, there is no specific treatment for infection. Norovirus, a common cause of gastroenteritis ("stomach flu"), could potentially be controlled by a vaccine. Wed, 13 Feb 2008 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080212085836.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080204111005.htm Scientists in Germany are reporting development of test that can answer one of the most frustrating questions in the animal kingdom: Is that bird a boy or a girl? Their study is a potential boon to poultry farmers and bird breeders. Sun, 10 Feb 2008 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080204111005.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080201134859.htm Chemists have discovered an antivirus drug attacks influenza A by changing the motion and structure of a proton channel necessary for the virus to infect healthy cells. Researchers said the findings are particularly important because mutations of the type A virus are resistant to the antivirus drug. Thu, 07 Feb 2008 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080201134859.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080130161753.htm Researchers have now provided a new strategy for designing drugs that target resistant viral strains of inflenza tupe A by solving the three-dimensional structure of a viral protein called the M2 proton channel. This protein is the molecular receptor for these drugs. Wed, 06 Feb 2008 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080130161753.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080202211638.htm Researchers 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. Mon, 04 Feb 2008 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080202211638.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080204085302.htm Many children hospitalized for influenza have had a recent, previous hospitalization that would have provided an easy, convenient opportunity to receive a hospital-based influenza vaccination. Researchers suggest that evaluating and establishing industry standards for flu vaccines for hospitalized children could help prevent additional hospitalizations and complications from influenza. Mon, 04 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080204085302.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080129201243.htm A vaccine against the most common and deadliest strain of avian flu, H5N1, has been engineered and tested. The vaccine produced a strong immune response in mice and protected them from death following infection with the H5N1 virus. The vaccine is being tested in humans in an early-phase clinical trial. Wed, 30 Jan 2008 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080129201243.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080124185522.htm Scientists report the successful conclusion of Phase I trials of the universal flu vaccine in humans. The universal influenza vaccine is intended to provide protection against all 'A' strains of the virus that causes human influenza, including pandemic strains. Therefore, this vaccine will not need to be renewed annually. The vaccine was tested at multiple centers in the US and involved 79 healthy volunteers. The trial results demonstrate that ACAM- FLU-ATM is well tolerated and immunogenic, and no significant side-effects were observed. Fri, 25 Jan 2008 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080124185522.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080121100811.htm Batches of homemade chicken soup -- fondly known as "Grandma's Penicillin" -- will be more appealing to stuffy-nosed cold and flu victims this winter if prepared with plenty of celery. That's the take-home message from a study which reports identification of the flavor-boosting components in celery. Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080121100811.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080106193222.htm Researchers have uncovered a critical difference between flu viruses that infect birds and humans, a discovery that could help scientists monitor the evolution of avian flu strains and aid in the development of vaccines against a deadly flu pandemic. Mon, 07 Jan 2008 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080106193222.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071221220200.htm In recent years, the bird flu virus has caught the attention of the world. In 2006 in particular, there was a lot of speculation about a wide-scale flu outbreak, in other words a pandemic. The Dutch government was worried about running short of vaccine, mainly because it has a very short shelf-life. All that could change, says a PhD student. In his thesis he describes a way of storing flu vaccine in powder form. It can then be stored for at least a year -- more than enough time to build up national stocks. Mon, 24 Dec 2007 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071221220200.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071219111654.htm We've all heard people say 'I won't kiss you, I've got a cold'. But a new report warns that we may be far more at risk of passing on an infection by shaking someone's hand than in sharing a kiss. Wed, 19 Dec 2007 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071219111654.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071215204410.htm Government monitoring for H5N1 focuses on migrating waterfowl in Alaska. According to an expert, a more effective system to detect the appearance of H5N1 would track wild birds all along the Atlantic and Pacific "flyways" of North America. An investigator, closely following the spread of the avian influenza known as H5N1, said that U.S. government monitoring efforts easily could miss the entry of the virus into North America. Mon, 17 Dec 2007 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071215204410.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071207091915.htm The international science community is not doing enough to track the many avian influenza viruses that might cause the next pandemic, according to new research. Tue, 11 Dec 2007 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071207091915.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071130162924.htm Physical barriers, such as regular handwashing and wearing masks, gloves and gowns may be more effective than drugs to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses like influenza and SARS, concludes a new study. The findings come as the UK government announced it is doubling its stockpile of antiviral medicines in preparation for any future flu pandemic. But the researchers believe that these simple, low cost physical measures should be given higher priority in national pandemic preparation. Sun, 02 Dec 2007 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071130162924.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071121085721.htm In light of the importance of virus monitoring for pandemic influenza preparedness and response, Indonesia's refusal to share samples of avian flu virus with the WHO for most of 2007 is "distressing and potentially dangerous for global public health," say two leading global health experts. Sun, 25 Nov 2007 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071121085721.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071115082259.htm Rapid responses by Turkey's health authorities and key health personnel were critical in bringing the 2006 bird flu outbreak under control, according to new research. Those involved cite poverty and families sharing their homes with poultry as factors behind the virus' transfer to humans. Sat, 17 Nov 2007 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071115082259.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071112091847.htm Adults with influenza infections serious enough to require hospitalization are much less likely to die from the disease if they are given antiviral medications, according to a new study. Mon, 12 Nov 2007 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071112091847.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071108180449.htm A new vaccine that protects monkeys against the avian influenza virus is now a candidate for clinical trial in humans. The rate of transmission of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) from birds to humans is rapidly increasing. The H5N1 strain is responsible for 278 known human infections resulting in 168 deaths. Fri, 09 Nov 2007 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071108180449.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071025080905.htm New findings about how the virus binds to the respiratory tract and lungs suggest children may be particularly susceptible to avian influenza. The results also mean that previous receptor distribution studies may have to be re-evaluated. Sat, 27 Oct 2007 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071025080905.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071024093540.htm Scientists predict that 73 percent of avian flu outbreaks in the UK would not spread beyond the initial infected farm, but larger outbreaks are more likely to involve the duck meat industry. Duck meat is more likely to cause large outbreaks of avian flu because ducks often do not show signs of the disease and as such delays diagnosis and control of the infection. Thu, 25 Oct 2007 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071024093540.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071020093330.htm Hopes are rising for one of the world's rarest birds after the discovery of the largest flock seen for more than 100 years. More than 3,000 critically endangered sociable lapwings have been found in the Ceylanpinar district of south-eastern Turkey after a satellite tag was fitted to one of the birds migrating from breeding grounds in Kazakhstan. Tue, 23 Oct 2007 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071020093330.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071019090004.htm Influenza has long been considered a seasonal virus. New findings implicate that low relative humidities produced by indoor heating and winter temperatures favor the spread of influenza. Fri, 19 Oct 2007 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071019090004.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071015193432.htm Determining the structure of a protein called hemagglutinin on the surface of influenza B is giving researchers clues as to what kinds of mutations could spark the next flu pandemic. Tue, 16 Oct 2007 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071015193432.htm