flu

UN agency urges vigilance as new outbreaks of bird flu are reported

23 January 2007
Despite fewer bird flu outbreaks in the first weeks of this year versus 2006, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today strongly advised countries to remain on high alert and cooperate with international organizations as the deadly virus continues to be destructive for farmers.

Bird flu mutation in Egypt has not increased transmissibility between humans, UN says

19 January 2007
Despite two cases of genetic mutation in bird flu in Egypt that moderately reduced the effectiveness of oseltamivir, the most strongly recommended drug, the United Nations health agency is not changing its recommendation because the level of resistance is not yet well established and the virus has not become more easily transmissible between humans.

UN-backed body ‘disappointed’ by European action on wild bird trade

12 January 2007
An indefinite European Union (EU) ban on wild bird imports, adopted to prevent the spread of bird flu to humans, risks creating black markets by ending a legal and tightly managed trade and undermining poor African communities who depend on it, according to a United Nations-backed body dealing with trade in endangered species.