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By Category: International

Scientist warns biosecurity at risk from new trade deals

(NewZealandHerald) A prominent agricultural scientist says New Zealand deserves only a half-mark for its biosecurity efforts – and warns that new free-trade agreements and increased tourism could pose a threat at the border. Former AgResearch manager John Lancashire has told a national forum the Government had much room for improvement in safeguarding our precious primary  Read More »

Study puts troubling traits of H7N9 avian flu virus on display

(EurekAlert) The emerging H7N9 avian influenza virus responsible for at least 37 deaths in China has qualities that could potentially spark a global outbreak of flu, according to a new study published today (July 10, 2013) in the journal Nature. An international team led by Yoshihiro Kawaoka of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University  Read More »

NIH scientists assess history, pandemic potential of H7 influenza viruses

(EurekAlert) The emergence of a novel H7N9 avian influenza virus in humans in China has raised questions about its pandemic potential as well as that of related influenza viruses. In a commentary published online today, scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, address these  Read More »

H7N9 influenza: History of similar viruses gives cause for concern

(EurekAlert) The H7N9 avian flu strain that emerged in China earlier this year has subsided for now, but it would be a mistake to be reassured by this apparent lull in infections. The virus has several highly unusual traits that paint a disquieting picture of a pathogen that may yet lead to a pandemic, according  Read More »

Long wet season spawns rising dengue cases

(JakartaPost) The Health Ministry expects an increase in the number of dengue fever cases this year, the first time in three years, due to the prolonged wet season. “As of May 2013, Jakarta had already seen 3,119 cases of dengue fever, almost half of last year’s. The trend has repeated in other provinces,” Tjandra Yoga  Read More »