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Chikungunya in La Reunion - new findings

Researchers have discovered the key to how a mysterious mosquito-borne viral outbreak swept over the Indian Ocean island of La Reunion in 2005 and 2006, infecting about 266,000 people and causing at least 260 deaths — the first fatalities to be reported in connection with the virus, known as chikungunya.

10 Dec 2007

Boost for tick disease research

Roman Ganta, a professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology at Kansas State University, has been awarded a grant of $1,825,000 by the National Institutes of Health to figure out how to stop the tick-borne bacteria, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, from making animals and people sick.

10 Dec 2007

Doctors failing to diagnose HIV early in UK Africans

Doctors are missing valuable opportunities to diagnose HIV in Africans living in the UK, with serious consequences for their long term health, according to research funded by the Wellcome Trust.

10 Dec 2007

Chikungunya virus spreads to new vectors

Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch have discovered how a key protein switch allows Chikungunya Virus (CHIKV) to spread to new vectors.

10 Dec 2007

Greater need for education regarding blood borne viruses

A new cohort study could facilitate targeted interventions for adolescent offenders who are at a high risk of hepatitis C (HCV) infection and obesity related liver disease.

10 Dec 2007

Bird flu cases in China still a puzzle

Health authorities in China say the search for a causal link between a son and his father, both victims of bird flu, has revealed no evidence that the virus has mutated into a new strain.

10 Dec 2007

Plenty of turkey for Brits this Christmas despite bird flu

Brits will still be alright for their Christmas turkey this year despite the bird flu outbreaks.

10 Dec 2007

Hospitals cut down on Christmas decorations to curb superbugs

In an attempt to curb the spread of superbugs such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium difficile, this Christmas some hospitals in Britain will have fewer Christmas decorations.

10 Dec 2007

Bird flu comes to Poland just in time for Christmas

Another outbreak of the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus in Poland on the weekend means an extension of the export ban of Polish poultry and eggs for another two weeks.

10 Dec 2007

Winter flu doubles the risk of heart attacks and stroke

Scientists in Britain say a dose of winter infections such flu can double the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

9 Dec 2007

Report blasts U.S. government department's treatment of HIV immigrant detainees

A new report by the Human Rights Watch has blasted the Department of Homeland Security in the United States over its record with immigrant detainees with HIV.

9 Dec 2007

Ebola ravages Uganda as local doctor dies after treating victims

With the latest reports suggesting that as many as 25 people have now fallen victim to the deadly virus, the new and mysterious strain of Ebola has infected some of the medical workers who treated patients without the aid of latex gloves and respirator gowns.

9 Dec 2007

Human to human spread of bird flu suspected in China

Health authorities in China have announced that the father of a man who died from the H5N1 strain of bird flu last week also has the lethal virus.

9 Dec 2007

Why is flu worse in winter?

If you've ever wondered why flu is more common in winter a new study by researchers in the U.S. may have some answers to that question.

6 Dec 2007

Striking shift seen among newly HIV-infected men regarding partners

New data from six U.S. sites show a dramatic shift by men acutely infected with HIV to choose to have unprotected intercourse only with other HIV-infected partners.

5 Dec 2007

Scientists strike blow in super bugs struggle

Scientists from the University of Manchester have pioneered new ways of tweaking the molecular structure of antibiotics - an innovation that could be crucial in the fight against powerful super bugs.

From The University of Manchester 5 Dec 2007

HIV-infected infants respond poorly to childhood vaccination

It is known that HIV-infected children who do not receive appropriate antiretroviral drugs experience immune depression, and may become susceptible to infectious diseases that would otherwise be prevented by childhood immunization.

5 Dec 2007

HIV Collaborative Fund receives $5.2 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

The HIV Collaborative Fund, a partnership of the International Treatment Preparedness Coalition and Tides, announced today that it has received a three-year grant for $5.2 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support community-based organizations in sub-Saharan Africa engaged in advocacy and educational activities to increase access to HIV treatment and prevention services.

5 Dec 2007

Dengue fever health education is "insufficient, under-funded, and irregular" in Cambodia

Health education regarding the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of dengue fever is "insufficient, under-funded, and irregular" in Cambodia, according to a new study published in the open-access journal PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases.

5 Dec 2007

Many cancers caused by infections

Cancer -- popularly understood as a result of mutations or mistakes within the genetic code in cells -- is also caused by infections from viruses, bacteria and parasites.

5 Dec 2007