Environmental Health News

Snowy Owl · Apr 1, 2006

Environmental Health News
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31 March Research in Pacific shows ocean trouble. Research fresh off a boat that docked Thursday in Alaska reveals some frightening changes taking place in the Pacific Ocean. Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Washington.

31 March Chemical reaction. A new study could cast doubt over claims that Halton's shocking cancer death rate is the result of unhealthy lifestyles and not chemical contamination in the ground, air and water. Runcorn & Widnes Weekly News, UK.

31 March Fewer marshes + more man-made ponds = increased wetlands. Redefining 'wetland' to include man-made ponds, the Interior Deparment claims that for the first time since measurements began, there has been an increase in wetlands in the US. Natural wetlands decreased. New York Times. [Registration Required]

State plans to combat avian flu. State and federal scientists are drawing battle lines against the Asian H5N1 flu virus in Alaska, extending from the Yukon-Kuskokwim delta to the state's small domestic bird flocks. Juneau Empire, Alaska. 31 March 2006.

Flu summit prescribes self-help. A worldwide epidemic of influenza probably would overwhelm the federal government's capacity to help states so Oregonians must begin planning now for disruptions in health care, food, education and public utilities if an influenza pandemic hits Oregon. Portland Oregonian, Oregon. 31 March 2006.

State gets checkup on bird flu. California has taken some solid steps to prepare for a possible pandemic of avian influenza, but several key roadblocks remain ? including the limited capacity of hospitals to care for sick people. Los Angeles Times, California. 31 March 2006. [Registration Required]

Burma culls birds to fight H5N1 flu. Burma said today it has killed more than 238,000 birds, but has still not succeeded in controlling an outbreak of H5N1 bird flu under control on chicken and quail farms. Bangkok Post, Thailand. 31 March 2006.

Glaxo starts bird flu vaccine trials. GlaxoSmithKline Plc. announced the start of human trials of two new bird flu vaccines on Thursday and said if they work, they would be ready to manufacture by the end of the year. Reuters. 31 March 2006.

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Snowy Owl · Apr 5, 2006

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Alaska on the lookout for first sign of bird flu. In the next few weeks, millions of songbirds, shorebirds and waterfowl will begin arriving in Alaska to breed. National Public Radio. 5 April 2006.

Travel bans won't stop bird flu. Travel restrictions and school closures will do little to stop a pandemic of bird flu from marching across the United States, but they may slow it enough to distribute drugs and vaccines. Reuters. 4 April 2006.

Farmers brace for bird flu: Precautions in place to guard poultry flocks. Commercial poultry farmers know what to do to protect their flocks from the deadly Asian strain of bird flu, should it arrive in the US with fall-migrating wild birds. Kalamazoo Gazette, Michigan. 4 April 2006.

Flu pandemic controllable with multifaceted strategy. A government-funded project concludes that a flu pandemic could be controlled through widespread use of a weak vaccine. National Public Radio. 4 April 2006.

 Legislation would boost state power to battle bird flu. A bill moving through the Legislature would expand the authority of the state veterinarian to quarantine or even kill sick animals to prevent the spread of infectious diseases that threaten to harm people. Anchorage Daily News, Alaska. 4 April 2006.

 Even without a vaccine, existing drugs show promise in treating bird flu. Many of the life-threatening symptoms of the flu resemble other conditions that are occurring in thousands of patients now. Wall Street Journal. 4 April 2006. [Subscription Required]

Remote chance of bird-flu pandemic spawns murky outlook for life insurers. If a serial killer were on the loose, it might not make sense to hold stock in a company that has to compensate his victims. Wall Street Journal. 4 April 2006. [Subscription Required]

 Health expert: Flu pandemic can hit anytime. A potential flu pandemic is like waiting for an earthquake along the San Andreas fault: It's just a matter of time before the next big one strikes. Associated Press. 4 April 2006.

 Migration season brings bird flu worries. Some researchers say the virus could make its way to the United States as early as this fall by way of wild migratory birds. Great Lakes Radio Consortium, Michigan. 3 April 2006.

Snowy Owl · Apr 6, 2006

Re: Environmental Health News

Article on bird flu criticizes effort to monitor cats and dogs. Five leading European scientists are criticizing officials, for not doing enough to monitor cats, dogs and other carnivores for their possible role in transmitting avian influenza. New York Times. 6 April 2006. [Registration Required]

 Government says 165 degrees will kill bird flu, other viruses. Preparing for the arrival of bird flu, the government on Wednesday gave advice for making chicken safe to eat: Cook it to 165 degrees. Associated Press. 6 April 2006.

 Dead swan sparks UK bird flu alert . Scientists and vets were conducting urgent tests last night on a dead swan infected with bird flu that was discovered in Scotland. London Guardian, England. 6 April 2006.

 Villagers shocked at bird-flu case. There was little sign of anything untoward in the small Fife coastal village where the dead swan with H5 bird flu was found. Ireland Online, Ireland. 6 April 2006.

 Scottish swan killed by H5 strain of avian flu. A three kilometre exclusion zone was thrown round an area of central Scotland last night after tests confirmed a dead swan discovered in Fife was carrying a highly pathogenic strain of bird flu. London Independent, England. 6 April 2006.

 Crisis team set to meet over threat. Cobra, the Government's crisis management committee, is set to meet ahead of the confirmation of results of tests for the H5N1 bird flu strain. Birmingham Evening Mail, England. 6 April 2006.

 Swan tests confirm deadly virus. A swan found dead in Scotland has tested positive for the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu. BBC, UK. 6 April 2006.
 Cats may help spread avian flu. Cats may be playing a role in the spread of H5N1 avian flu among poultry flocks and could in theory transmit the virus to people. Canadian Press. 6 April 2006.

 Agriculture officials have bird flu response plan. While medical professionals test vaccines to combat the avian flu virus in humans, agriculture officials are also preparing for the possibility of a bird flu outbreak in America's poultry. Durham Herald-Sun, North Carolina. 6 April 2006.

Snowy Owl · Apr 7, 2006

Re: Environmental Health News

Danger zone expanded to cover 1,000 square miles. A vast area of eastern Scotland was declared a bird flu danger zone yesterday after scientists confirmed the deadly H5N1 virus had been found in Fife. Edinburgh Scotsman, Scotland. 7 April 2006.

 One dead swan is not a bird flu crisis, says chief UK scientist. The Government's chief scientist today led calls for calm over Britain's first confirmed case of H5N1 bird flu, insisting that one dead swan does not constitute a crisis. London Times, England. 7 April 2006.

 Avian flu: Wild birds, pets and poultry now at risk. The lethal avian flu virus found in a swan in Scotland is almost certain to spread to wild birds across the UK before threatening Britain's poultry industry, experts warned yesterday. London Guardian, England. 7 April 2006.

 Sea birds to blame for spread of infection. Though they mainly live on rivers and lakes, mute swans quite often go down to the sea, especially in winter. However, they are resident in this country, so the swan would probably have caught the flu from a species which had come here from abroad. London Times, England. 7 April 2006.

 A seaside town known for its tranquillity is now the epicentre of a national scare . Some 24 hours after a dead swan was discovered on the foreshore of this picturesque coastal community, the 1,900 residents are at the epicentre of a nationwide scare. A town famous for its tranquillity is now under siege. London Independent, England. 7 April 2006.

 Scientists confirm worst fears - this was H5N1 Government vets yesterday resisted calls for a nationwide ban on keeping free-range poultry outdoors, as scientists confirmed that a swan in Scotland had died of the H5N1 strain of bird flu. London Independent, England. 7 April 2006.

 More birds tested for deadly flu. Tests are being carried out on 17 birds after Britain's first case of the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu was found in a dead swan in Scotland. BBC, UK. 7 April 2006.

 Bird flu gains ground in Africa and Europe. A third person has died from bird flu in Egypt, Nigeria has reported the southward spread of the disease and Britain has confirmed its first case of the deadly H5N1 strain. Cape Town Cape Times, South Africa. 7 April 2006.

 Bird flu confirmed in UK. The deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu has been confirmed in the UK for the first time. ABC News, Australia. 7 April 2006.

 First British case of deadly bird flu strain confirmed. The first British case of the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu was confirmed Thursday, a sign that containment measures aren't preventing the spread of the disease. USA Today. 7 April 2006.

 Britain confirms case of bird flu in dead swan. A swan found dead in eastern Scotland has tested positive for the deadly strain of bird flu, making it the first recorded case of the disease in a wild bird in Britain. New York Times. 7 April 2006. [Registration Required]

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Snowy Owl · Apr 11, 2006

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Poultry farmers know bird flu drill. The day veterinarians find a bird infected with avian influenza in the U.S., poultry and egg producers across the country will start battening down the henhouse. They know the drill. USA Today. 11 April 2006.

 Bird flu tests delay decision on poultry restrictions. A decision on whether to impose restrictions on the movement of poultry and poultry products around the suspected source of the Scottish bird flu outbreak will not be taken until further tests have been carried out, the Scottish Executive said yesterday. Edinburgh Scotsman, Scotland. 11 April 2006.

 Pet health records to help track bird flu? Health experts say the medical records of cats and dogs could serve as an early warning system for diseases such as avian flu. Great Lakes Radio Consortium, Michigan. 10 April 2006.

 Schools draft plans for avian flu. As fears of a global flu pandemic intensify, Massachusetts schools are urgently planning how they would feed thousands of stranded college students, educate children who can't come to class, and care for research animals. Boston Globe, Massachusetts. 10 April 2006.

Snowy Owl · Apr 18, 2006

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In pandemic study, health workers stay home. Nearly half of the public health workforce, the majority of them clerical and technical support staff, would stay home during a flu pandemic, results of a new survey suggest. USA Today. 18 April 2006.

Waterfowl vulnerable to bird flu, officials say. The Allegan County veterinarian, like state and federal health officials, said this fall may see the emergence of a deadly form of avian influenza in North America's wild ducks, geese and swans. Kalamazoo Gazette, Michigan. 18 April 2006.

Disease expert lectures on the realities of bird flu. Expect to see the much feared avian flu in the United States this year, global disease expert Laurie Garrett said Monday at Lamar University. Beaumont Enterprise, Texas. 18 April 2006.

 UN birdflu expert praises Thailand, Vietnam. Thailand and Vietnam are doing "excellent work" preparing for a possible bird flu pandemic, paying attention to the threat at the highest levels but also helping local communities get ready. Reuters. 18 April 2006.

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Snowy Owl · Apr 25, 2006

Re: Environmental Health News

Tests show pigeons don't pose bird flu threat. City folks, don't worry. Nobody expects pigeons, more common than manhole covers, will bring the deadly bird flu virus. Associated Press. 24 April 2006.

 Vaccinating all schoolkids could prevent flu pandemic. The key to stopping a flu pandemic may lie in schoolchildren and giving them the best available vaccine at the earliest sign of a major epidemic might fend off a deadly pandemic. Seattle Times, Washington. 24 April 2006.

 Farms on guard amid bird-flu fears. State and federal agriculture and wildlife officials have beefed up surveillance of wild waterfowl and domestic poultry as part of precautions against an H5N1 outbreak. Louisville Courier-Journal, Kentucky. 24 April 2006.

 A primer for pandemics. A few times each year, the world is reminded that a pandemic threat is immanent. In 2003, it was SARS. Today, it is a potential avian virus similar to the one that killed 30 million people after 1914. Yemen Times, Yemen. 24 April 2006.

 No need to cull wild birds to stop birdflu: expert. Ducks and other wild birds are carrying the feared H5N1 virus, but there is no need to cull or otherwise target them as part of efforts to control the virus, experts said on Thursday. Reuters. 24 April 2006.

 Switzerland logs five more H5N1 cases in wild birds. Switzerland confirmed on Friday five new cases of H5N1 avian flu virus in wild birds near Lake Constance, which borders Germany, bringing its total number of infections to nine. Reuters. 24 April 2006.

 Struggle against disease is a fight for human rights. To the list of forces that can trigger a global pandemic of avian flu - such as mutating viruses and migrating birds - some scientists add another: regimes that that trample human rights. Baltimore Sun, Maryland. 24 April 2006.

Snowy Owl · Apr 27, 2006

Re: Environmental Health News

Flu pandemic would peak in UK within four months. Within two months of the first pandemic flu case anywhere in the world, it would arrive in the UK. It would peak here two months later with countless thousands likely to have died, but the worst would be over within four months. London Guardian, England. 27 April 2006.

 China finds possible cases of bird flu go unreported. Local health officials in China have failed to report possible human cases of bird flu to the central government, raising the possibility that some officials may be concealing suspected cases. Wall Street Journal. 26 April 2006. [Subscription Required]

 Myanmar to lift restrictions on bird-flu-affected areas. Myanmar will lift restrictions on bird-flu-affected areas before the end of this month after claiming that the avian influenza has been under control since April 6, said a statement of the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department Tuesday. Xinhua News Agency, China. 26 April 2006.

 Airlines balk at epidemic safeguards. Concerned about bird flu, federal health officials want airlines to collect personal information about domestic and international passengers to help track a potential epidemic. Associated Press. 26 April 2006.

 Feds give Michigan $3 million to prepare for flu pandemic. Michigan will receive $3 million in initial federal assistance to prepare for a possible flu pandemic, officials said Tuesday during a forum for state and local leaders. Associated Press. 26 April 2006.

 Rains fed the W. Nile threat. All that's needed to cook up perfect conditions for another bad West Nile virus season is a warm spell, state health officials warned Tuesday. Sacramento Bee, California. 26 April 2006.

 Are we ready? A large-scale disaster like a pandemic flu or terrorist attack could overwhelm the nation's healthcare providers. US News & World Report. 26 April 2006.

Snowy Owl · Apr 28, 2006

Re: Environmental Health News

The landscape of a pandemic. Isolating sick people, rapidly treating family members with antiviral drugs, and closing schools and businesses will sharply reduce new infections in a future flu pandemic, according to a new mathematical model described in the British scientific journal Nature. Houston Chronicle, Texas. 27 April 2006.

Smuggled poultry blamed for spreading bird flu. Vietnam estimates about 4,500 chickens are trafficked into the country every day from China in a trade that is nearly impossible to police because of scarce resources. Associated Press. 27 April 2006.

Flu pandemic would peak in UK within four months. Within two months of the first pandemic flu case anywhere in the world, it would arrive in the UK. It would peak here two months later with countless thousands likely to have died, but the worst would be over within four months. London Guardian, England. 27 April 2006.

Forum debates rights in a pandemic. Here's how a worldwide flu epidemic might start: A sales manager for a multinational corporation returns to his California office from a business trip to Vietnam, feeling sick. San Jose Mercury News, California. 27 April 2006.

U.N. says bird flu spreading. Bird flu has hit 45 countries, killed more than 100 people and seems to be spreading quickly, the U.N. official in charge of tracking the virus said Wednesday. Associated Press. 27 April 2006.

Chicken cull after bird flu find. Some 35,000 chickens at a poultry farm in Norfolk are to be slaughtered after dead birds tested positive for a strain of bird flu. BBC, UK. 27 April 2006.

Norfolk bird flu: More tests as chickens culled. Tests are being carried out today to establish the exact strain of the virus but preliminary test results show that it was likely to be the H7 strain rather than H5N1. London Independent, England. 27 April 2006.

China finds possible cases of bird flu go unreported. Local health officials in China have failed to report possible human cases of bird flu to the central government, raising the possibility that some officials may be concealing suspected cases. Wall Street Journal. 26 April 2006. [Subscription Required]

Snowy Owl · May 2, 2006

Re: Environmental Health News

Government drafts pandemic flu plan. Employers should have plans to keep workers at least three feet apart and colleges should consider which dormitories could be used to quarantine the sick under a draft of the government's pandemic flu plan. Associated Press. 2 May 2006.

 Few Americans prepare for avian flu, poll shows. Few Americans are preparing for the possibility of a pandemic. Only 7% have taken steps advised by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to stockpile food, water and basic first aid. Wall Street Journal. 2 May 2006. [Subscription Required]

Turning to chickens in fight with bird flu. Billions of doses of avian flu vaccine exist for chickens. In desperation, could chicken vaccine be used on humans? New York Times. 2 May 2006. [Registration Required]

Bird flu hurting U.S. chicken firms. Avian influenza, the deadly virus sweeping Asia, Africa and parts of Europe, now is hurting the bottom line of three of America's largest chicken producers. Chicago Tribune, Illinois. 2 May 2006.

Bird flu strain, not dangerous to people, found in poultry market. A strain of bird flu not dangerous to people turned up at a live poultry market in South Jersey during routine testing last week and samples are undergoing further tests. Associated Press. 2 May 2006.
 Report: Flu fight won't shut border. An outbreak could lead the government to limit international flights, quarantine exposed travelers, and otherwise restrict movement in and around the country. But a complete shutdown of the border would not be likely. Associated Press. 2 May 2006.

Travel restrictions useless against bird flu. Restricting air travel is unlikely to stop a flu pandemic, and even the fastest action will merely delay it by a few months. Reuters. 2 May 2006.

Chinese girl in critical condition with virus. An 8-year girl in Chengdu, China is in a critical condition in hospital with the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu. China Daily. 1 May 2006.

Few U.S. companies are prepared for bird flu outbreak. Just 15% of large U.S. companies have any bird-flu plan, according to a survey in March. That's starting to change. USA Today. 1 May 2006.

 Smuggling of birds, exotic pets concern bird flu watchdogs. Bird flu entering the U.S. through smuggled wildlife is a growing worry for government officials already on the lookout for migrating wild birds. Associated Press. 1 May 2006.

Legal aspects of feared flu pandemic are pondered. On Day 5 of a deadly flu outbreak, there's no margin for error. If missteps are made within those first several days, it could make the difference between containing a flu outbreak or helplessly watching it fan into the much-feared influenza pandemic. Oakland Tribune, California. 1 May 2006.

Snowy Owl · May 3, 2006

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Draft report outlines plans for pandemic. The federal government will stockpile 75 million doses of antiviral drugs and 20 million doses of vaccine to combat any outbreak of pandemic flu, according to a summary of a draft response plan. New York Times. 3 May 2006. [Registration Required]

Russia bans British poultry imports. Japan has already banned all poultry, eggs and breeding birds from the UK and Hong Kong has banned exports from Norfolk, which is at the centre of the avian flu alert. London Times, England. 3 May 2006.

U.S. flu report predicts chaos. A White House report on pandemic flu paints a grim picture of the social and economic chaos that could overtake the country in a serious outbreak, including widespread illness and 40% absenteeism, potential school closures and travel restrictions. USA Today. 3 May 2006.

Government drafts pandemic flu plan. Employers should have plans to keep workers at least three feet apart and colleges should consider which dormitories could be used to quarantine the sick under a draft of the government's pandemic flu plan. Associated Press. 2 May 2006.

Environmental Health News

Snowy Owl

Retired in 2010, In Memoriam

Snowy Owl

Retired in 2010, In Memoriam

Snowy Owl

Retired in 2010, In Memoriam

Snowy Owl

Retired in 2010, In Memoriam

Snowy Owl

Retired in 2010, In Memoriam

Snowy Owl

Retired in 2010, In Memoriam

Snowy Owl

Retired in 2010, In Memoriam

Snowy Owl

Retired in 2010, In Memoriam

Snowy Owl

Retired in 2010, In Memoriam

Snowy Owl

Retired in 2010, In Memoriam

Snowy Owl

Retired in 2010, In Memoriam