Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data (GISAID)

This is a great new development. Veterinary virologist Ilaria Capua has emerged as the latest hero in the fight against bird flu.

Genetic sequences of samples of H5N1 taken from infected people and chickens have been keep private, so that researchers would be sure to get credit for their work. The only way to access many sequences has been restricted to the 15 flu laboratories working with the United Nations World Health Organisation WHO.

This is understandable, and they should get credit. However, keeping these sequences locked up has prevented anybody from getting a full, big picture of how the virus is changing over time . . . which could indicate where and when it's on the verge of becoming highly infectious.

Ms. Capua of the Vialle dell'Universita in Padova, Italy started rebelling against this in March this year -- she began posted flu sequences to GenBank, where it's publicly available.

Thanks to her example and pressure on the rest of the research community, many leading avian influenza scientists have tentatively agreed to share data. They have agreed to set up the Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data (GISAID). The letter outlining the agreement is signed by 70 scientists and health officials, including six Nobel laureates.

They'll all still get credit for their contributions, as they obviously should, but we'll all benefit by this sharing of H5N1 genetic sequences.

bird flu genetic database will be set up





Bird Flu Genetic Database
Bird Flu Genetic Database

more suspected bird flu cases in Indonesia

There're 3 new suspected cases of bird flu in Indonesia -- in a new area, the province of Central Sulawesi.

Two toddlers and a 21 year old housewife (mother of the children?) have been hospitalized in the Undata Hospital, in the capital of the province, Paludue.

They all live in the Kamonji district where authorities recently found chickens dead of avian influenza.

It'll take time before these cases are confirmed or not as chicken flu from the H5N1 virus. Still, they illustrate that Indonesia is not getting the situation under control. One day they're going to wake up and realize they've got a full-fledged emergency on their hands. It seems that the government is not going to take all-out effective action until they wangle more money from wealthier countries.

more suspected bird flu cases in a new province of Indonesia


What are the Symptoms of Bird Flu


Bird Flu in Indonesia
Bird Flu in Indonesia

low pathogenic bird flu in North American swans

For any of you still worried . . . the variety of H5N1 found in those mute swans in Michigan not long ago is NOT the high pathogenic avian influenza HPAI we call bird flu. It's low pathogenic avian influenza, which means it's the North American strain of H5N1.

It's not new, and it's not dangerous. Not to the swans and not to us. It's been found in this hemisphere before.

low pathogenic avian flu in North American mute swans





Bird Flu in US
Bird Flu in US