Bird flu outbreak causes 7 human deaths
Eight countries ““ Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Pakistan,
South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam ““ have reported the
occurrence of bird flu.
In all eight countries, the flu has caused the death of
thousands of fowl and heavily damaged the chicken export industry
of Thailand, the world’s fourth largest exporter.
Particular strains have shown the ability to jump to humans, and
have been confirmed to be responsible for seven deaths of people
who had contact with infected poultry.
Last Saturday, China also confirmed two cases of Severe Acute
Respiratory Syndrome, the illness which afflicted over 8,000 people
last year.
According to the World Health Organization, avian influenza does
not yet appear to involve person-to-person transmission, but poses
a greater threat to human health if it is not controlled.
Rover allows for new Opportunity on Mars
The NASA rover Opportunity landed on Mars on Saturday. The rover
is currently exploring the side of the planet opposite the location
of its temporarily disabled rover counterpart, Spirit.
On Monday, Opportunity sent back its first images of the red
planet to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, revealing areas
of Mars’ landscape that have never been seen.
The California Institute of Technology, which patented the twin
rovers and runs the JPL, has licensed the Mars images they send
back for commercial use.
NASA scientists say communication with Spirit, which experienced
software problems, should be repaired within the coming weeks.
Week to focus on blacks with HIV/AIDS
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Week will be observed Feb.
1-8.
A series of special events to address HIV/AIDS programs,
treatment and testing are planned to raise awareness of the disease
which is the leading cause of death in black American men and women
between the ages of 25 and 44.
Black Americans make up 54 percent of new HIV infections, while
accounting for only 12 percent of the nation’s
population.
Feb. 7 has been designated National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness
Day.
With reports from Daily Bruin wire services.