Aug 2004

China National Avian Influenza Reference Laboratory director says scientists discovered the lethal H5N1 virus (previouly thought only infect birds and humans) in pigs.  Beijin, China.

A recent study on survivors of the last year (2003) West Nile outbreak found that only 37 percent were fully recovered a year after they became infected. Most continued to suffer from muscle weakness, loss of concentration, confusion and lightheadedness.  The study found that more than a third of the patients were having trouble doing chores like performing light housekeeping tasks.  According to the researcher "It seems that people who get this syndrome have long-lasting problems, Whether or not they're lifelong, we just don't know at this point."  Lewisville, Texas, USA.

A second person has died this year from West Nile virus, Texas state health officials said today.  On July 2004, the virus claim its first victim in Texas.  Houston, TX, USA

Campground staff discovered recently that some children at their Campground had produced vomiting and diarrhea symptoms that behaves like the norovirus.  The norovirus is the infection that has infected people in past years on cruise ships. Symptoms are nausea, stomach cramps, headaches and muscle aches along with the vomiting and diarrhea. The virus is spread person to person. Saginaw, Michigan, USA.

THE United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) has ranked Bayelsa State as having the highest incidence of wild polio virus in Nigeria.  Statistics shows that under age of five, the mortality rate was 187 per 1000 live births.  Lagos, Nigeria.

A 75-year-old real estate broker became the second person in California to die from the mosquito-borne West Nile virus.  With concern growing about the spread of the virus, advocates for the homeless have called for extra precautions for those who sleep in parks. San Francisco, CA, USA.