Trialled: The C.diff vaccine that could 'handcuff' killer superbug

A jab to beat the deadly C.diff superbug is to be tested on British patients.

Six hundred men and women will be given the vaccine - the first of its kind in the world - from next month.

http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/health/article-1064753/Trialled-The-C-diff-vaccine-handcuff-killer-superbug.html

New tropical storm may affect Taiwan on weekend

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- The Central Weather Bureau (CWB) reported yesterday the formation of two tropical storms in Southwest Pacific with one likely to have impact on Taiwan over the weekend.

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national%20news/2008/10/01/176851/New-tropical.htm

Faster genetic test for flu virus approved

ATLANTA (AP) — The government approved a new genetic test for the flu virus Tuesday that will allow labs across the country to identify flu strains within four hours instead of four days.

The timesaving test could be crucial if a deadly new strain emerges, federal health officials said. The new test also could help doctors make better treatment decisions during a conventional flu season.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iQ5JyawoD9AGzG5jesJuF17EiJnQD93HD0PO0

Hurricane Watch Issued for Maine's Coast as Tropical Storm Kyle Approaches

MIAMI — A rare hurricane watch was posted for part of the Maine coast on Saturday as Tropical Storm Kyle roared north toward the region with a threat of conditions similar to one of New England's nor'easter storms.

"Hurricane season isn't over, " said Maine Emergency Management Agency director Rob McAleer. "It's been a very active season."

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,428483,00.html

Orissa floods hit lakhs

BHUBANESWAR, Sept. 20: The Mahanadi mimicked Kosi today in Orissa with over 15.62 lakh cusec water flowing at Mundali and flood waters causing 28 breaches along the river system to inundate and cut off several villages. The flood has claimed 16 lives so far, official sources said.A total of 15 lakh people living in 17 out of 30 districts in the state have been affected. Crop areas of over 2.47 lakh hectare have been inundated. The flood, described as the worst-ever since 1982 by officials, has marooned 191 villages. Over 1.80 lakh people of low-lying areas have been evacuated while hundreds of others have taken shelter on national highway and cyclone shelters.

http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=1&theme=&usrsess=1&id=223351

Caribbean tropical depression could form soon

NEW YORK, USA (Reuters): A tropical wave in the Eastern Caribbean Sea was slowly moving westward across the Lesser Antilles on Friday and could strengthen into a tropical depression or storm over the next few days, the US National Hurricane Center said in its last update.

The agency said the system was producing widespread cloudiness and showers over the Lesser Antilles and adjacent Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean waters. http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-10836--46-46--.html

Health officials watching whether flu viruses are becoming resistant to drug

TORONTO — As flu season approaches, public health authorities will be keeping an anxious eye on one family of flu viruses to see if an unwelcome phenomenon that cropped up last winter will stage a repeat performance.

To the surprise and dismay of scientists and governments, H1N1 viruses that were resistant to Tamiflu suddenly appeared in high numbers in Northern Europe.

http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5if4uJGxhp784BZ_JVaxVTjnn8KvQ

Bird Flu found in US...

CALDWELL - A Treasure Valley game producer found a strain of bird flu in two of his birds, and now the Idaho Department of Agriculture has quarantined the area. The strain is not deadly to humans in its current form and the birds in question aren't even in the food channels. http://www.ktvb.com/news/canyoncounty/ktvbn-sep0508-bird_flu_strain.47dc42c2.html

US East Coast braces for Tropical Storm Hanna

HOLDEN BEACH, N.C. (AP) — Beach vacationers in the Carolinas prepared to pack up and head inland Friday as Tropical Storm Hanna cruised steadily toward the coast, while others decided to ride out the fast-moving storm that had only a slight chance to become a small hurricane before crashing ashore overnight.

The storm will likely wash out the weekend from the Carolinas to Maine. Tropical storm watches or warnings ran from Georgia to areas just south of New York City, and included all of Chesapeake Bay and the Washington D.C. area.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gVWjsPEiqe1tEu2mhBIRaxxGi8owD930L4680