America.gov-Global Health: Infectious Diseases

Avian Influenza Subtype H7 Has Pandemic Potential, Scientists Say

Cheryl Pellerin — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 17:28:10 GMT

A recent human case of H5N1 avian flu brings total cases to 383 with 241 deaths. The Bangladeshi victim survived but the virus continues to kill wild birds and poultry. According to a report from the World Organisation for Animal Health, 61 countries reported H5N1 infections in birds between 2003 and May 2008.

Global Causes of Death Move from Infectious to Chronic Diseases

Cheryl Pellerin — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:14:59 GMT

Globally, causes of death will shift from infections like AIDS and malaria to chronic illnesses like heart disease and cancer, a new World Health Organization report finds. “It’s reflecting an improvement in health,” WHO’s Dr. Colin Mathers says. “We’re living longer … [so more] deaths are from the diseases that affect very old people.

Global Health Conference Addresses Pandemic Flu, Climate Effects

Cheryl Pellerin — Tue, 20 May 2008 13:06:47 GMT

Pandemic influenza preparedness, sharing of flu viruses and effects of climate change on human health top the agenda in Geneva during the 61st annual meeting of the World Health Assembly -- the supreme decisionmaking body of the World Health Organization. Michael Leavitt, secretary of health and human services, heads the U.S. delegation.

Changing Climate Could Alter Biology of Infectious Diseases

Cheryl Pellerin — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:13:41 GMT

For 10,000 years the people, plants, animals and microbes of planet Earth have experienced an unusually long period of climate stability. This is ending as rising levels of greenhouse gases disrupt sensitive interrelationships forged among these life forms and those disruptions put public health at risk.

Global Killer Malaria Can Be Prevented, Treated, Cured

Cheryl Pellerin — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:32:21 GMT

Malaria infects more than 500 million people a year and kills more than 1 million -- mostly infants, young children and pregnant women, and most of them in Africa. World Malaria Day, observed April 25, recognizes the determined work of many around the world to fight this devastating mosquito-borne disease.

Internet Latest Tool in Emerging Infectious Disease Surveillance

Cheryl Pellerin — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:07:26 GMT

In an era of pandemics and pathogenic emerging diseases, disease surveillance is critical to heading off health crises. America.gov looks at how informal Internet-based groups help with surveillance by continuously collecting information online from subscribers, electronic media and discussion groups, and sending health alerts out by e-mail.

Vietnam's Vaccination Effort Helps in Fight Against Avian Flu

Cheryl Pellerin — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 13:04:33 GMT

Vaccinating its highest-risk populations of chickens and ducks has been an expensive and logistically complex effort for Vietnam’s central government, but animal health officials say it has slowed deadly outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza among birds in the Southeast Asian nation and, critically, among people.

Vietnam Bird Flu Preparations Boost General Disease Capacity

Cheryl Pellerin — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 13:03:45 GMT

In the four years since highly pathogenic H5N1 avian flu began infecting and killing the chickens, the ducks and eventually the people of Vietnam, the government has made changes on the ground and across the animal and human health infrastructure that will serve the nation far beyond the threat of avian flu. In this serious venture, the Vietnamese government has had help from many international donors. In addition to international assistance, the government of Vietnam has put great commitment, time and resources into efforts to stop the spread of avian flu. USINFO talks with health officials in Hanoi and surveys the government’s bird flu efforts.

“Substantial Progress” in Global Avian Flu Response, Report Says

Cheryl Pellerin — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 13:01:43 GMT

The world community has made progress in its response to avian influenza, according to a new United Nations-World Bank report whose results are announced at the New Delhi International Ministerial Conference on Avian and Pandemic Influenza. More than 600 delegates from 105 countries -- including 70 ministers from the public health and animal health sectors -- and 20 international and intergovernmental organizations convened in New Delhi to assess, review and exchange information on highly pathogenic H5N1 avian flu in animals and people.

Nations Examine Pandemic Flu Preparedness at India Conference

Cheryl Pellerin — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 13:02:49 GMT

Two days before the December 4-6 New Delhi International Ministerial Conference on Avian and Pandemic Influenza convenes in India’s northern capital, journalists from India and Afghanistan gather at a two-day workshop to learn how to cover the highly pathogenic viral disease of birds and, in 12 countries so far, people.

AIDS Experts See Hope, Concerns in Confronting Virus

Cheryl Pellerin — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 13:12:48 GMT

On the eve of World AIDS Day, President Bush renews his pledge to fight the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. “The pandemic of HIV/AIDS can be defeated,” he says, through international cooperative efforts such as his President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). “We continue to fund research and develop new methods of treatment and prevention,” he says, referring to PEPFAR’s five-year, $15 billion commitment to fight the disease. The 2007 message from AIDS experts is blunt, as they call for strengthening prevention programs and technologies.

Improvements in Flu Surveillance Network Goal of Geneva Meeting

Cheryl Pellerin — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 13:00:40 GMT

Strengthening procedures for sharing samples of potentially pandemic viruses and increasing developing-nation access to the resulting vaccines were the focus of an international meeting hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva November 20-23. The meeting drew an estimated 300 attendees, including about 100 member-state delegations, representatives from international organizations and invited experts. Attendees agreed that countries will share viruses with WHO while a detailed framework for sharing flu samples and benefits is developed.