Health & Science

• Wednesday, May 6th 2009 - 02:53 UTC

  Magallanes Region stocked for the event of a flu pandemic

  

  Punta Arenas in the extreme south Magallanes Region of Chile has received several lots of seasonal flu vaccines which will be available in clinics and health centres as of tomorrow Wednesday announced local sanitary authorities.

• Tuesday, May 5th 2009 - 11:08 UTC

  Mexico announces reopening of schools, gradually returns to normality

  

  Mexican officials lowered the influenza A (H1N1) virus alert level in the capital on Monday and said they will allow universities, cafes, museums and libraries to reopen this week, even as the number of confirmed cases topped 1,200 worldwide.

• Monday, May 4th 2009 - 08:56 UTC

  Flu outbreak becomes excuse for trade and tourism restrictions

  

  Three countries worst hit by the global swine flu outbreak have urged economic partners not to allow it to affect international trade. Agricultural ministers from Canada, Mexico and the US said the outbreak should not be used as a reason for unnecessary trade restrictions.

• Sunday, May 3rd 2009 - 12:18 UTC

  Private labs increase production of Tamiflu and Relenza

  

  The World Health Organization has asked Roche Holding AG to deploy its so-called rapid response stockpiles of antiviral drug Tamiflu, the Swiss drug-maker said on Saturday.

• Sunday, May 3rd 2009 - 12:13 UTC

  Spread of flu is slowing down in Mexico reports WHO

  

  The World Health Organization (WHO) says the H1N1 flu virus continues to spread around the world, with the number of confirmed cases reaching 615, in 17 countries. WHO officials say they expect to raise their alert to the highest level but experts say the spread of the flu is slowing down in Mexico, where the outbreak started.

• Sunday, May 3rd 2009 - 08:27 UTC

  Who are the culprits? Swine herd in Canada exposed to human H1N1 virus

  

  The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) indicated Saturday that it has found H1N1 flu virus in a swine herd in Alberta. However the safety of the food supply is not affected and Canadian pork continues to be safe to eat, said CFIA in an official release.

• Friday, May 1st 2009 - 13:05 UTC

  New York City police incorporates 40 hybrid patrol cars

  

  New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly deployed on Thursday 40 marked and unmarked Nissan Altima hybrid patrol cars. The cars are part of the mayor's plan to slash city emissions by 30% by 2017.

• Friday, May 1st 2009 - 06:26 UTC

  WHO says current influenza is identified as A/H1N1

  

  As of Thursday April 30 the new influenza will be referred to as A/H1N1 said the World Health Organization in a brief announcement. The statement follows on World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) clarification of facts from the animal health perspective, particularly in relation to international trade of pigs and of products of pig origin.

• Friday, May 1st 2009 - 06:22 UTC

  OIE strongly counsels against the culling of pigs

  

  The OIE (Epizooties International Organization) strongly counsels against the culling of pigs in the current situation with A/H1N1 influenza that started in North America, reports the organization from Paris.

• Thursday, April 30th 2009 - 23:26 UTC

  Egypt begins mass slaughter of pork population

  

  Egypt has begun a mass slaughter of thousands of pigs in an effort to prevent swine flu spreading. The cull was going ahead despite there being no cases of swine flu in Egypt. However, neighbouring Israel has two confirmed cases in humans.