True to predictions, both human cases and poultry outbreaks of H5N1 avian flu have intensified as winter arrives and temperatures drop. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports numbers of human cases and deaths remain lower than 2006, but concerns have arisen about the potential of human-to-human transmission.
December 17 — The WHO warns countries should be on the alert for bird flu because it is again on the move, with Pakistan reporting new infections and Myanmar's first human case.
December 15 — Pakistan reports its first human cases of H5N1 avian flu in a cluster of family members that may have involved person-to-person transmission.
December 14 — The WHO issues an update on human H5N1 infections: 340 cases and 208 deaths worldwide since 2003. In 2007, there have been 77 cases and 50 deaths, compared to 2006's 115 cases and 79 deaths.
December 12 — A Canadian survey finds that 54% “critical industry workers” would be uncomfortable going to work if several people in their city or town were diagnosed with pandemic influenza.
Poland, Russia, Vietnam, and Saudi Arabia report new outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza in birds.
December 11 — Ontario's provincial auditor says the province is still not adequately prepared to respond to a flu pandemic.
December 4 — Bird flu is a potentially lethal problem that will persist for years as the H5N1 virus strain continues to spread, says United Nations bird flu expert David Nabarro at the opening of an international avian and pandemic flu conference in India.
November 30 — Although many countries improved their responses to H5N1 avian influenza outbreaks in poultry in the past year, the disease remains entrenched in 6 countries, says a report from the United Nations and the World Bank.
November 28 — Romanian officials announce that H5N1 avian flu has returned to bird populations in the country.
November 25 — Indonesia announces it will continue to withhold H5N1 viral materials from the WHO.
November 16 — Canadian and American researchers who studied flu viruses collected from migratory birds over 6 years report that wild birds rarely carry avian flu viruses between Eurasia and North America — making it unlikely H5N1 would reach the Americas by that route.
November 12 — Veterinary officials in England confirm H5N1 avian flu at a poultry farm in Suffolk.
November 3 — Health Minister Tony Clement and his counterparts from the US and Mexico sign an agreement to cooperate in the event of a public health emergency, including one caused by an influenza pandemic.
November 2 — Authorities in Canada lift remaining restrictions on the movement of birds and bird products in Saskatchewan. The H7N3 strain of avian flu was detected in chickens at a commercial poultry operation in late September.
