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By Category: International

Novel coronavirus infection – update

(WHO) The Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia has informed WHO of an additional laboratory-confirmed case of infection with the novel coronavirus (nCoV). The patient is an 81-year-old woman with multiple coexisting medical conditions. She became ill on 28 April 2013 and is currently in critical but stable condition.The patient was identified as part of Read More »

May 21, 2013
| Filed under International and Public Health
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Human infection with influenza A(H7N9) virus in China

(WHO) As of 15 April 2013 (18:00 CET), the National Health and Family Planning Commission notified WHO of an additional nine laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with influenza A(H7N9) virus. Of the latest laboratory confirmed cases, four are from Zhejiang, three are from Shanghai and two from Jiangsu.

April 16, 2013
| Filed under International and Public Health
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New bird flu strain seen adapting to mammals, humans

(EurekAlert) A genetic analysis of the avian flu virus responsible for at least nine human deaths in China portrays a virus evolving to adapt to human cells, raising concern about its potential to spark a new global flu pandemic. The collaborative study, conducted by a group led by Masato Tashiro of the Influenza Virus Research Read More »

April 15, 2013
| Filed under Asia/Pacific, North America, International, Public Health, and Research
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The tricky task of protecting plants in a globalized age

(FAO) Odds are, today you ate something that came from another hemisphere. A mind-boggling $1.1 trillion worth of agricultural products are traded internationally each year, with food items accounting for 82 percent of the total. And where fruit or plants can travel, so too can less-savory characters. Fruit fly eggs hidden in the skins of Read More »

April 12, 2013
| Filed under Europe, Agriculture, Biosafety, International, and Policy & Initiatives
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Subsidies and GM crops back

(IRINNews) Food has become expensive and seems set to stay that way, so growing more of it has become both a necessity and an attractive investment. But the trend has also put contentious issues like agricultural subsidies and genetically modified (GM) crops on the menu once again. IRIN talked to some of the leading food Read More »