White House: Lesser Bird Flu May Be Here

[katinmn]

It isn't a confirmed case. A low path strain has always existed and occurs naturally in waterfowl. The birds aren't sick. I hope they don't try to turn this into another major distraction.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/facts.htm
"These influenza viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them."
http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/avian_influenza/frequently_asked_questions.jsp#1b
"With rare exceptions, the thousands of flu isolates found in wild birds have been low pathogenic avian influenza and have rarely caused signs of illness."



http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/08/14/ap/health/mainD8JGAAP80.shtml
White House: Possible bird flu in wild birds in U.S. - but not worrisome version

(AP) Scientists have discovered the possible presence of bird flu in the United States _ in wild swans near the banks of Lake Erie _ but it does not appear to be the worrisome strain that the government has long feared.

Routine tests on two seemingly healthy wild mute swans in Michigan suggest they might have the H5N1 virus; confirmatory tests are under way.

But other testing has ruled out that it could the so-called highly pathogenic version of that virus that has ravaged poultry in Asia, and killed at least 138 people worldwide, the Agriculture Department announced Monday.

[teenagebambam]

1. "I hope they don't try to turn this into another major distraction"

Hope springs eternal.

[havocmom]

2. The last couple of distractions had too much blow-back

Need to create distractions from the distractions.

Worst magic act ever!

[katinmn]

3. LOL. You are right! But there's plenty more where that came from.

http://www.comcast.net/news/politics/index.jsp?cat=POLITICS&fn=/2006/08/13/454966.html
Al-Qaida-U.K. Plot Link Evidence Grows

I love this headline!
http://www.news10.net/storyfull3.aspx?storyid=19337
Suspicious Package on Alaska Airlines Jet Contained No Explosives

Officials Believe Mackinaw Bridge Was Target for Terrorists
http://www.wlns.com/Global/story.asp?S=5276253&nav=0RbQ (About the guys who bought Wal-Mart cell phones)

and the best story of all:
Bush Tackles Foreign Agenda 1st Day Back
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2311247