A New Flu View

Here’s an update of avian influenza from around the globe:

• Indonesia reported its 62^nd avian flu fatality last week. Only 18 Indonesians who have contracted the disease survived.

• Of the 19 confirmed cases of avian flu in Egypt, 11 have been fatal. An Egyptian woman who had exposure to sick and dead poultry became the 19^th fatality last week.

• Vietnam has suffered the greatest number of H5N1 infections. To date 93 people in that country contracted avian flu, resulting in 42 deaths

• Other countries with reported avian deaths include China, Cambodia Thailand, Turkey and Iraq.

Another excellent way to get a snap shot of avian influenza as it develops is on Google Earth. Researchers have created an excellent map of bird and human outbreaks. In order to view the map, you need to have Google Earth installed on your PC. The map overlays for avian flu are available here.