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DNA "barcodes" used to map mosquito species in West Africa that spread lymphatic filariasis

New biotechnologies that allow scientists to quickly and accurately distinguish species based on a simple DNA analysis are being creatively deployed for the first time in the war against a major global disease.

29 Apr 2009

Avian flu research sheds light on swine flu outbreak

A new study by University of Maryland researchers suggests that the potential for an avian influenza virus to cause a human flu pandemic is greater than previously thought. Results also illustrate how the current swine flu outbreak likely came about.

29 Apr 2009

So far Australia clear of swine flu

According to Queensland's Chief Health Officer, although more cases of suspected swine flu have been reported in the Queensland, to date the state and the nation remain free of the disease.

29 Apr 2009

Australian pigs free from swine flu virus and pork safe to eat

The current epidemic of swine flu which has now affected six countries, has prompted some nations to ban all imports of American pork and pork products.

29 Apr 2009

Swine flu - All you need to know

Swine influenza or Swine flu is a respiratory disease commonly found in pigs which is caused by type A influenza virus - it causes high levels of illness in pigs but low death rates and while swine flu viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, most outbreaks occur during the autumn and winter months similar to flu outbreaks in humans.

29 Apr 2009

Flu pandemic long overdue

Here we go again. Just when we thought it was safe to go outside, the threat of another potential flu pandemic raises its head and hysteria builds again. Once again there is talk of quarantine, airport surveillance, travel restrictions and public closures.

29 Apr 2009

Swine flu slows down global economic activity

Concerns about a Swine flu outbreak lowered retail stocks on Monday.

27 Apr 2009

New statistical model that simulates human mobility patterns can aid in studying epidemic outbreaks

Researchers have developed a new statistical model that simulates human mobility patterns, mimicking the way people move over the course of a day, a month or longer.

27 Apr 2009

Swine influenza - WHO holds emergency committee meeting

The Emergency Committee, established in compliance with the International Health Regulations (2005), held its second meeting on 27 April 2009.

27 Apr 2009

Swine flu reinforces the importance of preparing for emergencies

The American Public Health Association (APHA) urges the public to use the current swine flu outbreak as an opportunity to ensure that they and their families are prepared for potential pandemics, disasters or any other health emergencies that may arise.

27 Apr 2009

Update on swine flu in the United States and Mexico

As of 26 April 2009, the United States Government has reported 20 laboratory confirmed human cases of swine influenza A/H1N1 (8 in New York, 7 in California, 2 in Texas, 2 in Kansas and 1 in Ohio).

27 Apr 2009

Swine flu pandemic threat puts the world on high alert

An outbreak of swine flu in humans has health experts and officials around the world on high alert and there is great concern, as more countries report new cases of the disease, that the world may be on the brink of a pandemic.

27 Apr 2009

WHO response to swine influenza A(H1N1)

In response to cases of swine influenza A(H1N1), reported in Mexico and the United States of America, the Director-General convened a meeting of the Emergency Committee to assess the situation and advise her on appropriate responses.

26 Apr 2009

Swine influenza confirmed in the U.S.

The United States Government has reported seven confirmed human cases of Swine Influenza A/H1N1 in the USA (five in California and two in Texas) and nine suspect cases.

26 Apr 2009

Malaria diagnostic tests differ in performance

The largest-ever independent, laboratory-based evaluation of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for malaria has shown that some tests on the market perform exceptionally well in tropical temperatures and can detect even low parasite densities in blood samples, while other tests can detect parasites only at high densities.

26 Apr 2009

Welcome news on Dengue fever

The news that scientists in the United States have identified host factors which are critical to Dengue virus infection will be particularly welcome in tropical northern Queensland, which has suffered one of the worse Dengue fever outbreaks in decades.

26 Apr 2009

Climate change linked to increase of cholera cases in Zambia

A study lead by researchers from the Madrid Carlos III Institute of Health associates the increase of cholera cases in Zambia with climatic factors.

23 Apr 2009

Malaria death in Zambia decline by 66%

Malaria deaths reported from health facilities in Zambia have declined by 66%. This result along with other supporting data indicates that Zambia has reached the 2010 Roll Back Malaria target of a more than 50% reduction in malaria mortality compared to 2000.

23 Apr 2009

Scientists identify dozens of proteins the dengue fever virus depends upon

By painstakingly silencing genes one at a time, scientists at Duke University Medical Center have identified dozens of proteins the dengue fever virus depends upon to grow and spread among mosquitoes and humans.

22 Apr 2009

Researchers create chemicals that kill the most deadly malaria-causing parasite

Researchers at the University of Leeds have developed chemicals which kill the most deadly malaria-causing parasite, Plasmodium falciparum - including those resistant to existing drugs.

22 Apr 2009