Avian Flu

WHO standoff with Indonesia over bird flu samples indicates battle between rich and poor
DENPASAR (AP): Bird flu has largely flown off the radar of the Western world, but people are still dying from it nearly every week in Indonesia.

Since the first case was reported two years ago, government officials have reported 74 deaths from the H5N1 strain in Indonesia - more than a third of the world's total. And it's not just the virus this nation is battling. It's also struggling to ensure that poor countries get their fair share of any new vaccine developed to stem the spread of a possible global flu epidemic.

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Web Exclusive: FAO speaks out on H5N1 ‘hot spots’
By Dr. Terry Mabbett

An FAO report highlights weak links in Indonesia, Egypt and Nigeria but praise is given to Turkey and Viet Nam.

10 April 2007-When it comes to H5N1 commentary on individual countries, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) is usually guarded, preferring to encourage rather than to criticise. But recent events including surging number of human cases in Indonesia and Egypt, and first time appearance of human infection in West Africa, have clearly prompted the organisation into comment

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Avian influenza frequently asked questionsrevised 5 December 2005

What is avian influenza?
Which viruses cause highly pathogenic disease?
Do migratory birds spread the disease?
What is special about the current outbreaks in poultry?
Which countries have been affected by outbreaks in poultry?
What are the implications for human health?

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