Thousands get flu in Australia, but few require medical care.

Thousands get the flu in Australia, but few require medical care.

Influenza monitoring systems are reporting nearly 8,000 cases, early in the Australia flu season.

Recent flooding and bad weather may be to blame, but it is not clear that this is either the main or sole reason for the high reported numbers. One theory is that there is simply more testing going on, another that fewer people are being vaccinated due to concerns about the safety of the flu shot.

Report in Brisbane Times: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/warnings-as-flu-cases-surge-20110719-1hn5m.html#ixzz1SeuevxIe

Report on “The Conversation”: http://theconversation.edu.au/flu-is-on-the-rise-australia-and-thats-not-to-be-sniffed-at-2414

Wild Migratory Birds Cause of Avian Flu Outbreak - Govt (South Korea)

A report in the Joon Gang Daily cites a government source as saying that a recent outbreak of Avian flu is due to contact with wild migratory birds.

"Seoul confirmed its first outbreak of the virulent H5N1 strain on Dec. 31 after some poultry farms reported sudden deaths of animals earlier in the month. It has since ordered the culling of more than 5.41 million birds to stop the spread of the contagious disease."

http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2931902

"The latest outbreak is the fourth to hit the country, with previous cases reported in the winter months of 2003-04, 2006-07 and spring of 2008.

In the 2003-04 period, Seoul destroyed 5.28 million birds while in the subsequent outbreaks, 2.8 and 3.45 million birds were culled, respectively."

Robo Chicken that doesn't transmit Swine Flu?

An article at Just Means is reporting the development of a "transgenic" chicken (perhaps a cross-dressing chicken?) that will not transmit the flu to its coop mates.

http://www.justmeans.com/Transgenic-Chicken-Fights-Avian-Flu-Health-Miracle-or-Frankenscience/42702.html