(AP) -- A top U.S. health official says the threat of a flu pandemic remains high. And while the world has made great strides to prepare, it's not enough.
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Preventing colds: Washing your hands is more effective than taking vitamins
The days are getting shorter, temperatures are dropping, and the cold and flu season is beginning. Many people have started taking vitamin C tablets as a precautionary measure. But research has shown that vitamin supplements do not provide nearly as much protection as other measures, like frequently washing your hands – and that high doses can even be harmful. The German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) has published information and a quiz on the subject of prevention, helping to separate widespread myths from facts.
Pandemic flu may be well mitigated until vaccine is available
An outbreak of pandemic influenza in the U.S. could be mitigated with prompt implementation of social-distancing measures combined with antiviral treatment and prophylaxis until a vaccine is available, according to new findings published in the online Early Edition of
PNAS.
Bird flu outbreak confirmed in Tibet
The Chinese government has confirmed a new outbreak of bird flu in Tibet.
Bird flu kills one in Vietnam
Bird flu has killed a 20-year-old Vietnamese man in the country's first confirmed avian flu case in two years, it was reported Sunday.
China reports human case of bird flu
A 19-year-old man has contracted bird flu in China, the country's Ministry of Health said Saturday.
Bird flu kills Cambodian girl
A new outbreak of bird flu has killed a teenage girl in Cambodia.
No person-to-person spread of bird flu yet
The H5N1 avian flu virus has been found in 11 countries this year and is endemic in Indonesia, Egypt and Nigeria, an international conference in Italy reported.
Bird flu tests negative in Kuwait
Tests for avian influenza on more than 300 people in Kuwait have so far come back negative.