Bird flu tough to spread The avian influenza virus tends to penetrate so deeply in the respiratory tract that it cannot be easily spread through coughing and sneezing, observations that may explain why there has been only negligible human-to-human spread, scientists report today. (Mar 23, 2006) • Bird flu in China • Bird flu

Enlist labs in flu fight The global threat posed by avian influenza and other emerging infections may be best fought by a laboratory network modeled on the United States military's once-robust string of overseas research labs, according to a group of military-affiliated experts. (Mar 2, 2006) • Flock-Killing Planned if Bird Flu Found • President Bush on bird flu outbreak

Hawaii on front lines for bird flu The plans, detailed and terrifying, are for the worst-case scenario. (Mar 1, 2006)

New flu is likely to spread differently Unlike the 1918 flu that circled the globe with unremitting ferocity, a pandemic strain today probably would emerge as a series of hot zones, possibly straining medical efforts to contain the deadly outbreaks, scientists report today. (Feb 21, 2006) • Graphics • Government web site on pandemic flu

Bird flu vaccine developed Researchers have produced a bird flu vaccine made from a genetically engineered human cold virus and shown that it protected 100 percent of vaccinated mice and chickens. (Jan 28, 2006)

A $1.5B bird-flu fight The presence of bird flu in Turkey is not a surprising development, but the extent to which it has spread so quickly among flocks is somewhat startling, said the United Nation's top avian influenza coordinator, who estimated yesterday that it will take a minimum of $1.5 billion for global health officials to start fighting the strain worldwide in birds and people. (Jan 12, 2006)

Probe: Bird flu can be mild Thousands of mild human cases of avian influenza have occurred throughout the two-year outbreak in Vietnam - epicenter of the disease in Southeast Asia - suggesting that the infection is far more pervasive than previously thought, new research has found. (Jan 10, 2006)

Pact gives bird flu vaccine a production boost Roche Pharmaceuticals has agreed to a tenfold hike in the production on Tamiflu, the only drug proven to help victims of avian flu, according to an agreement announced yesterday by Sens. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Lindsay Graham (D-S.C.). (Dec 9, 2005)

EU extends ban on importing birds BRUSSELS, Belgium // The European Union extended yesterday its ban on importing live captive birds through Jan. 31, citing continued fears about the worldwide spread of bird flu. (Nov 17, 2005) • Avian flu threat

China confirms first human cases of bird flu China reported its first human cases of bird flu on the mainland Wednesday, including at least one fatality, as health workers armed with vaccine and disinfectant raced to inoculate billions of chickens and other poultry in a massive campaign to contain the virus. (Nov 16, 2005)

Poultry sellers: Don't fret As Thanksgiving Day approaches, some local poultry sellers say they've been getting one additional question besides whether or not turkeys are still available: Could any of them have the notorious avian flu? (Nov 16, 2005)

Roche's Tamiflu may hold promise for staving off pandemic The race to prevent a bird flu pandemic is on - several experimental vaccines and a drug made from a licorice-flavored cooking spice have snagged key roles. (Nov 16, 2005)