Egypt confirms 44th human bird flu case

CAIRO, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Egyptian Ministry of Health confirmed Monday that a four-year-old girl was infected with bird flu virus in Egypt, bringing the number of human infection case to 44 in the populous Arab country.

The latest case was detected in El Minya governorate, Upper Egypt, some 220 km south of the Egyptian capital of Cairo, Health Ministry spokesman Abdel Rahman Shaheen was quoted by the official MENA news agency as saying.

China reports new bird flu outbreak in poultry

Why English is Hard to Learn

There is no egg in eggplant, nor ham in hamburger; neither apple or pine in pineapple.

English muffins weren't invented in England, and French fries aren't French.

Sweetmeats are candies while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat.

Quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square, and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea, nor is it a pig.

And why is it that writers write, but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce, and hammers don't ham?

If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn't the plural of booth beeth?

One goose, two geese; so, one moose, two meese?

One index, two indices?

Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends, but not one amend?

If you have a bunch of odds and ends, and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it?

If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught?

If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?

http://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/English_hard_2learn.html

Southern Africa Floods

OTTAWA, Feb. 21 /CNW/ - Canadian aid agencies are urging Canadians tohelp prevent a humanitarian disaster. The situation for flood survivors acrossMozambique is expected to worsen as Tropical Storm Ivan makes landfall todayand brings more rain to this already vulnerable region.

http://www.cnw.ca/fr/releases/archive/February2008/21/c4537.html

Pandemic 'hotspots' located in study

The next most likely occurrence of a major pandemic will probably be in an overcrowded region of the world where humans have contact with wildlife a study has revealed.

Researchers from four major institutions, the University of Georgia along with scientists from the Consortium for Conservation Medicine, the Institute of Zoology (London) and Columbia University, have published a three-year investigation in the journal Nature which has issued a map of pandemic "hotspots" of the world where the team predict infectious diseases are more likely to occur.

http://www.thetechherald.com/article.php/200808/198/Pandemic-hotspots-located-in-study

Flu epidemic rises as expected

The USA's flu epidemic continued to grow last week, with cases mounting in every state and a dozen new deaths among children, the government's leading flu expert said Friday.

Altogether 22 children have died of flu so far, with widespread flu activity reported in 49 states, up from 44 last week, says Nancy Cox, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention influenza division. Only Florida is reporting regional flu activity for the week ending Feb. 16th, according to the CDC.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-02-22-flu-vaccine_N.htm

Inspectors evaluating damage from Wells earthquake

WELLS, Nev. - Teams of local, state and federal officials are going door to door in this small town today in an effort to assess earthquake damage that has made many homes unlivable.

The Red Cross said today 182 people were unable to return to their homes. Between 45 and 50 homes received varying amounts of damage, and in some cases residents do not have propane service restored, according to the Red Cross.

http://origin.sltrib.com/ci_8335954

Indonesia Sends Bird Flu Samples to WHO Lab

An Indonesian health ministry official announced on Friday that his country had sent 12 bird flu virus samples to one of the World Health Organization’s laboratories. The official also confirmed that Jakarta received assurance that it would soon have access to affordable vaccines against this terrible disease that has already killed lots of people in Indonesia and not only. Despite the fact that cases of bird flu have been reported also in other countries, Indonesia is the nation worst hit by the deadly virus; no less than 105 people have died until now in this country.

Indonesia has held back its bird flu virus samples since last August, because it reportedly wanted guarantees from richer countries and drug companies that poor countries would eventually get access to affordable anti-bird flu vaccines derived from these samples.

http://www.enews20.com/news_Indonesia_Sends_Bird_Flu_Samples_to_WHO_Lab_06026.html

US involved in bird flu conspiracy: Indonesia

PETER CAVE: Indonesia’s Health Minister has suggested that the United States may be involved in a conspiracy to use the bird flu virus to develop biological weapons.

The extraordinary allegation is included in a new book, endorsed by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, which describes Indonesia’s fight to assert its ownership of its virulent strains of avian influenza.

Concerns over that issue prompted Indonesia last year to stop sharing virus samples with the World Health Organisation as Jakarta correspondent Geoff Thompson reports.

http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2008/s2167325.htm

Six dead in typhoon and landslide

Typhoon Nicholas has ravaged East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) the past few days, killing two residents of Kupang and one resident of West Sumba, and destroying hundreds of houses and public facilities in the region.

The three victims drowned after being dragged out to sea by heavy waves Wednesday. Two were found the same day, while the third was recovered Thursday.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailnation.asp?fileid=20080216.G01

New swine flu subtype has avian flu genes

Researchers have identified a new strain of swine influenza, H2N3, which belongs to the group of H2 influenza viruses that last infected humans during the 1957 pandemic. This new strain has a molecular twist—it is composed of avian and swine influenza genes.

Agricultural Research Service veterinarians, Drs. Juergen Richt, Amy Vincent, Kelly Lager, and Phillip Gauger, conducted this research with Iowa State University visiting scientist Wenjun Ma; ISU veterinary pathologist, Dr. Bruce Janke; and other colleagues at the University of Minnesota and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The ARS veterinarians work at the agency's National Animal Disease Center in Ames, Iowa

http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/feb08/080215k.asp

Bangladeshi Officials Slaughter Thousands of Chickens Amid Bird Flu Concerns

Officials have begun slaughtering chickens in Bangladesh's capital, as bird flu spreads to at least 42 of the country's 64 districts.

Livestock officials say workers started killing more than 100-thousand poultry in Dhaka Saturday to prevent the spread of the virus.More than 600,000 chickens have been slaughtered since bird flu was first detected in Bangladesh in March of 2007. No human cases have been detected in the country so far.

http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-02-17-voa1.cfm

Bird flu kills 3-year-old boy in Indonesia, second case reported in one day

JAKARTA (AP) - Bird flu killed a 3-year-old boy and a teenager in Indonesia, the health ministry announced, bringing the country's death toll from the disease to 105.

The latest victim was identified only as Han, a 3-year-old boy from the capital, Jakarta, who died Friday at a hospital in the city, radio El-Shinta reported Saturday.

Nyoman Kandun, a senior Health Ministry official, confirmed the report but did not provide details.

Laboratory tests confirmed the boy had the dangerous H5N1 strain of the bird flu virus, Kandun said. It was not clear how he was infected. http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Global%20News&p=54&type=2&sec=3&aid=200802175

Diagnosing Bird Flu 'difficult'

Following the death of Nasrudin Sarmili due to bird flu in January, some residents have started doubting the ability of health care providers to treat the illness.

Several of Nasrudin's family members said he was misdiagnosed several times before his death on Jan. 29.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailcity.asp?fileid=20080213.C04&irec=3

Magnitude-4.9 Hits Baja California

TIJUANA, Mexico (AP) — A moderate earthquake struck northwestern Mexico near the U.S. border Monday, prompting authorities to evacuate schools and resulting in at least one minor gas leak.

No major damage or injuries were reported from the temblor, which an expert said was likely an aftershock from a magnitude-5.4 quake three days ago.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hfgLY41xQNI-zM_QEi9gksUVDEQQD8UOBBHO0

Play on bird flu takes wing

Imphal, Feb. 11: In an inspired move, Manipur is using the medium of Shumang Lila (courtyard plays) to spread awareness about bird flu.

The state has yet to recover from last year’s encounter with bird flu and the recent outbreak in West Bengal has added to its worries.

The veterinary department’s new awareness tool is the play Aruba Echel, revolving around a veterinary doctor working in a village in the interiors of Manipur. Scripted by Manaobi M.M. and directed by Birjit Ngangaomba, Aruba Echel is the result of collaboration between the veterinary department and the Peace Maker Artistes’ Association.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080212/jsp/northeast/story_8889712.jsp

Meningitis epidemic threatens one million Central Africans, say UN officials

11 February 2008 – Up to one million people in the Central African Republic (CAR) are at risk from a meningitis epidemic sweeping across the northwest of their country, and overwhelmed local health authorities do not have enough vaccine stocks to meet demands, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned today.

An outbreak was declared after numerous deaths were reported in the districts of Ouham, Ouham Pendé and Nana-Grebizi in the first five weeks of this year, OCHA said in a press statement, and UN agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the country’s Government are working together to try to combat the epidemic.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=25584&Cr=central&Cr1=african

Date abuse among teens an 'epidemic'

Stephanie Madrid, a student journalist at Cy Ridge High School, just opened our eyes to a growing, silent problem among students today.

“Like the first day you can get beat up by your boyfriend. I mean you never really know,” she said. “I mean you just have to get to know the person. Your parents have to get involved.”

http://www.khou.com/news/local/stories/khou080211_tj_dateabuse.b2a8314c.html

Australia grappling with child abuse 'epidemic'

A child protection organisation says the rate of child abuse in Australia has reached epidemic levels.

Child Wise has collated research showing one in four girls and one in seven boys experience some form of sexual abuse.

It is launching a national campaign to raise awareness about the problem and help parents and others who work with children recognise the signs.

The group's chief executive Bernadette McMenamin says the silence about abuse has to be broken.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/12/2160172.htm?section=justin

More powerful typhoons expected to hit RP in ’08

More powerful typhoons are expected to hit the country this year, an official of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said. PAGASA director Prisco Nilo said the prevailing La Niña phenomenon in the country is "favorable" to typhoon development.

La Niña, a weather phenomenon that brings above normal rainfall, causes the warming of sea surface temperature in the Pacific Ocean where tropical cyclones usually develop, Nilo said.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=108293

UN: 'Tobacco epidemic' could kill...

NEW YORK: The World Health Organization warned that the "tobacco epidemic" is growing and could claim 1 billion lives by the end of the century unless governments dramatically step up efforts to curb smoking.

In its first comprehensive report on tobacco use in 179 countries, the U.N.'s health agency said governments collect more than US$200 billion (€137 billion) in tobacco taxes every year but spend less than one fifth of 1 percent of that revenue on tobacco control programs that could prevent millions of deaths.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/02/08/america/NA-GEN-UN-Tobacco-Epidemic.php

Bird flu not a problem in Copper County

HANCOCK — It’s probably a case of “no news is good news.”

The typical winter ailments of influenza, severe colds, bronchitis and pneumonia in the area covered by the Upper Peninsula District Health Department seem not to be causing any significant problems this year, according to health department medical director, Dr. Gail Shebuski.

Shebuski said the number of reports of flu coming into the health department are not causing her concern.

“It’s been a pretty light year,” she said. “We haven’t gotten very many reports.”

http://www.mininggazette.com/stories/articles.asp?articleID=10595

Bird flu a boon for sports industry

JALANDHAR: The ban on import of Chinese shuttles due to bird flu scare may have led to the cancellation of National Badminton Championship scheduled to be held in Goa but it has proved a blessing for the indigenous shuttlecock industry.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Chandigarh/Bird_flu_a_boon_for_sports_industry/articleshow/2768632.cms

Tornadoes Kill at Least 54 Across Southern U.S., Despite Repeated Warnings

LAFAYETTE, Tenn. — One man pulled a couch over his head. Bank employees rushed into the vault. A woman trembled in her bathroom, clinging to her dogs. College students huddled in dormitories.

Tornado warnings had been broadcast for hours, and when the sirens finally announced that the twisters had arrived, many people across the South took shelter and saved their lives. But others simply had nowhere safe to go, or the storms proved too powerful, too numerous, too unpredictable.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,328745,00.html

Volcano Erupts, Forcing 3,000 Villagers to Flee in Ecuador

QUITO, Ecuador — Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano shot columns of ash miles into the air on Wednesday, as officials ordered the evacuation of 3,000 villagers living near its slopes.

Some 1,000 villagers from the western flanks of the 16,575-foot volcano fled their homes for shelters at dawn, said Mauro Rodriguez, director of Civil Defense.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,329133,00.html

Nigeria: TB Epidemic

The World Health Organisation (WHO) Monday warned that if immediate action was not taken to control and monitor tuberculosis (TB) in the country, it would be faced with an epidemic capable of killing thousands of people.

The Country Representative of WHO, Dr Peter Eriki, gave the warning during the official donation of 262,000 tablets of 480mg Co-trimoxazoles, 65,500 Stat Pak, 65,520 Determine and 7,200 double check gold HIV test kits for TB patients to the Minister of Health.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200802060168.html

Bird flu spreads to urban Bangladesh, officials say

DHAKA -- Bird flu has spread to the Bangladesh capital Dhaka and to the port city Chittagong despite efforts by authorities to contain it, livestock officials said on Wednesday. Dozens of dead crows found over the past two days in Dhaka have tested positive for the H5N1 strain of bird flu. City authorities have ordered a ban on the sale of undressed chicken in Dhaka markets, the officials said.

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/asia/2008/02/07/142217/Bird-flu.htm

CDC expert warns of future flu pandemic

The likelihood of an influenza pandemic within the next five to 10 years is “very high,” according to an expert with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“We have already seen cases of human-to-human transmission (of avian flu). We’re one step from a pandemic,” Dr. Sureyya Hornston told the Gainesville Rotary Club Monday. “I hate to sound pessimistic, but I have to tell you the truth.”

http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/article/3179/

Grow your own Genetically-Engineered Bacteria

http://io9.com/352406/grow-your-own-genetically+engineered-bacteria

Northern Chile, Southern Peru Hit by 6.3 Quake

SANTIAGO (AFP).— An earthquake measuring 6.3 on the moment magnitude scale rocked northern Chile and parts of southern Peru early Monday, the US Geological Survey said, as Chilean officials added there were no reports of casualties or damage.

http://www.desastres.org/noticias.php?id=05022008-25

Bird flu has spread to 32 districts

DHAKA: Bird flu has spread to two more districts in Bangladesh, taking the number of affected districts to 36, a livestock official said yesterday, as the government pledged to raise compensation to farmers for culled poultry.

http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=199751&version=1&template_id=44&parent_id=24

Bird flu toll mounts to 103 as woman dies

JAKARTA: A 29-year old Indonesian woman has died of bird flu, bringing the death toll from the virus in the Southeast Asian country to 103, the health ministry said yesterday. The woman, from Tangerang, west of the Indonesian capital Jakarta, died on Saturday after being treated at the city’s Persahabatan hospital for about a week, ministry spokeswoman Lily Sulistyowati said in a statement.

http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=199762&version=1&template_id=45&parent_id=25