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Update on West Nile virus in Texas

In 2004, West Nile has been detected in five horses in Brazoria, Fort Bend, La Salle, Leon and Montgomery counties and in seven birds in Harris, Lubbock and Montgomery counties. No human cases have been recorded in 2004 in Texas.

27 May 2004

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus re-emerges in Thailand

Thousands of chickens were culled last week after the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus was found at The North Regional Veterinary Research and Development Center by Thailand's Department of Livestock Development.

27 May 2004

Australian HIV cases have increased 22 per cent over two years

New data released by Australia's NSW Health has revealed that HIV notifications increased by six per cent from 2002 to 2003. This follows a 15 per cent increase from 2001 to 2002, and represents a 22 per cent increase over two years.

26 May 2004

Specialists work to overcome Huntington's disease

The Huntington's Disease Society of America (HDSA) recognizes the Huntington's Disease Clinic and Research Group at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics as one of only 17 national Huntington's Disease Centers of Excellence.

25 May 2004

Study indicates the number of people in the UK who could be incubating vCJD

The Journal of Pathology recently published a paper entitled Prevalence of lymphoreticular prion protein accumulation in UK tissue samples. The study looked at 12,674 stored appendix and tonsil samples, and found that 3 of them showed evidence of the prion protein associated with variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD).

25 May 2004

$3.5 million grant to develop AIDS vaccinations

Researchers at the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute (VGTI) and the Oregon National Primate Research Center at Oregon Health & Science University have received a $3.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop new methods for vaccinating humans against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS.

25 May 2004

Data suggests potential target for Alzheimer's disease treatment

Researchers from Weill Cornell Medical College and Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons have discovered at least one way in which beta-amyloid, the protein that forms stubborn plaques in the brains of Alzheimer's disease patients, can kill nerve cells.

25 May 2004

New findings suggest mammograms may help predict cardiovascular disease

The presence of breast vascular calcifications found through common mammograms is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases in women, according to an article in the May Journal of Women's Health.

25 May 2004

International agreement to tackle animal disease outbreaks

The United Kingdom last night signed an Agreement with the Governments of Ireland, Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand to tackle animal disease outbreaks.

25 May 2004

Animal diseases spreading between countries on the rise

Animal diseases spreading between countries, such as foot-and-mouth disease and avian influenza, are often having a severe economic and social impact, the two agencies said in joint statement today.

25 May 2004

Foodborne diseases pose a serious threat to densely populated areas of Asia and the Pacific

Foodborne diseases pose a serious threat to densely populated areas of Asia and the Pacific, two UN agencies said today. ''So far, food contamination incidents and food-borne disease outbreaks in the region have been relatively isolated, but the potential danger is just round the corner.

25 May 2004

19 cases, including 4 deaths, of Ebola haemorrhagic fever southern Sudan

As of 24 May 2004, the health authorities of Yambio County have reported a total of 19 cases, including 4 deaths, of Ebola haemorrhagic fever (EHF) in Yambio, Western Equatoria, south Sudan.

24 May 2004

Among older people, diabetes substantially increases premature deaths

A new study involving tens of thousands of people 65 and older suggests that even among older people, diabetes substantially increases premature deaths, according to researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

24 May 2004

China commences first clinical test of SARS vaccine

The Xinhuanet Chinese news agency reports that four volunteers are in good health following injections of the world's first clinical test of a severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) vaccine.

23 May 2004

West Nile virus found in Champaign County

Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, state public health director, today reported that a dead crow collected in Rantoul in Champaign County has tested positive for West Nile virus.

21 May 2004

Clusters of viral meningitis found in two Manhattan schools

Working closely with the New York City Department of Education (DOE), the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) is investigating clusters of viral meningitis in two Manhattan schools (4 students at La Guardia High School, 2 students at Stuyvesant High School).

21 May 2004

WHO reports likely Ebola case in Sudan

As of 10 May, WHO reported cases of Ebola haemorrhagic fever syndrome in Hai-Cuba, Yambio, Western Equatoria Region, south Sudan. A rapid assessment team is in the field to investigate the situation. Clinical samples have been collected and preliminary results are expected soon.

21 May 2004

Are we as crazy as mad cows?

When proteins in our body work properly, we can see, smell, consume and digest food, grow muscle and brain cells. But when these infinitely useful biological building blocks fail, the most pernicious diseases arise. Susan Lindquist has scrutinized the complex origami-like shapes of proteins and come to understand how structural mistakes can lead to a frightening class of neurodegenerative disorders, including “Mad Cow Disease.”

20 May 2004

Antioxidant vitamins A, C and E are unlikely to prevent heart disease and other diseases such as cancer

The study found that individuals who have diets rich in these vitamins are people who are less likely to have ever lived in deprived social circumstances, less likely to have ever smoked, more likely to be physically active and less likely to be obese. It is these factors rather than the vitamins that protect individuals from disease.

20 May 2004

In the wake of the latest SARS outbreak CDC has implemented new system to guide travelers about potential health hazards

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today implemented a new system for providing travelers with guidance about potential health hazards and the steps they can take to protect themselves when traveling abroad. The new system makes it easier for the public to understand what their risks may be during an emerging public health crisis and what they can do to protect themselves.

20 May 2004