Moon
Veteran Member
Researchers in the US have begun human trials of a new vaccine to combat a deadly flu strain.
Despite an intensified search for a cure, scientists say a global flu epidemic is inevitable and the most likely trigger will be bird flu.
The virus has killed more than 60 people in four Asian countries since late 2003.
Flu is as common in birds as it is in humans and there is no evidence of this particular strain passing from person-to-person.
But the current virus, called H5N1, is mutating and the fear is that it will evolve into a form that can be passed between humans.
Thousands of birds have already been culled in Turkey after cases of the disease were found there.
Now EU officials are waiting for the results of tests on Romanian birds to confirm whether or not the virus has spread to Europe.
A French hospital in Versailles has bought in a hundred and thirty thousand protective masks specially designed for dealing with the condition.
Parts of Germany have banned the feeding of birds outside.
http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-13449216,00.html
Despite an intensified search for a cure, scientists say a global flu epidemic is inevitable and the most likely trigger will be bird flu.
The virus has killed more than 60 people in four Asian countries since late 2003.
Flu is as common in birds as it is in humans and there is no evidence of this particular strain passing from person-to-person.
But the current virus, called H5N1, is mutating and the fear is that it will evolve into a form that can be passed between humans.
Thousands of birds have already been culled in Turkey after cases of the disease were found there.
Now EU officials are waiting for the results of tests on Romanian birds to confirm whether or not the virus has spread to Europe.
A French hospital in Versailles has bought in a hundred and thirty thousand protective masks specially designed for dealing with the condition.
Parts of Germany have banned the feeding of birds outside.
http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-13449216,00.html