Bird flu expands range

Reports last month that H5N1 Influenza A (avian influenza) had been detected in poultry in Africa and elsewhere heightened concerns about the threat the virus poses to human and animal health. As of mid-February, 2006, the H5N1 virus had been detected on farms in three states in Nigeria and another five states had suspected cases, according to news reports. On February 18, 2006, India also reported detecting H5N1 influenza in birds. In addition to India, Iraq, Nigeria, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Slovenia, Iran, Austria, Germany, Egypt, and France have all reported their first case of H5N1 infection in birds since the beginning of February, 2006.