good news on vaccine

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=2237838

But keep the fine print in mind:

Because it is impossible to predict which influenza strain will spark the next pandemic, it is equally impossible to produce a vaccine that will be completely effective.

USA-No Plan Again

I don't know, it is not surprising to me that the government does not have a plan.
Why, isn't it enough to just put an extra can of tuna fish under the bed?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060721/ap_on_he_me/bird_flu_testing
http://www.abc4.com/news/national/story.aspx?content_id=CEE6EDF8-E35D-41AA-AC65-B51E01BECD4D

"The senators (and that includes our own Hilary ) said the department is relying too heavily on states and that many states don't have enough personnel to help coordinate."

Overview of Fatalities

http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/retro06-avfludeaths-date_desc.html?mod=blogs

Good summary with details surrounding the deaths.

Indonesia still a virus breeding ground

Indonesia is still a good candidate for the mutation that will mean pandemic.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060716/ap_on_he_me/indonesia_bird_flu
"Indonesia's caseload is increasing faster than any other country in the world — with all of its deaths occurring in the last year. The government says it cannot afford to routinely cull fowl in infected areas."

One man's passion to educate

This article both outlines the problems in awareness and highlights one fellows mission to raise awareness. I thought my blog was a way of knocking on doors in my "community" but I can count on one hand the people who have gained anything by reading this one. My last two comments were particularly disappointing as they were strangers trying to sell something on their blog and spamming this one.

http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/15012910.htm

Three different strains in Nigeria

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060705/ap_on_he_me/bird_flu_nigeria

Not good news. If this is spreading quickly and changing, it has even more opportunity to mutate into pandemic

More bird flu cases coming

WHO predicts that there will be more virus activity in the colder months and that means more opportunity for mutation. I have sort of mellowed in my fears because so far there was just that one mutation that could not start pandemic. Also, I have prepared pretty much all I can prepare. But this raises my anxiety level a tad again.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200607/s1676278.htm