[Insert Alarmist Heading Here]

Strains of North American H7 bird flu have recently acquired the ability to infect human cells. This could mean bad news; we'll have to see...

Dave

http://www.promedmail.org/pls/otn/f?p=2400:1001:6171651894027102::NO::F2400_P1001_BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1000,72650

Preparedness for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Africa

Here's the URL for an article to be published in the 2007 October edition of Emerging Infectious Diseases. I found the article to be interesting, as it discusses the substantial logistical and financial issues involved with securing Africa against the possibility of avian influenza attack. Many African nations don't have the funding nor logistical capacity to combat less virulent infectious agents; if charged with avian flu without resources and a plan, the outcome could be devastating.

http://www.cdc.gov/eid/content/13/10/pdfs/07-0400.pdf

It's not thaaat long.

Elizabeth