►February 13, 2004 -  WHO bird flu study finds virus infects humans fast, kills quickly - AFP via www.channelnewsasia.com - "The first study of Asia's bird flu cases shows the virus has an alarmingly high fatality rate and that victims typically die less than two weeks after falling ill with raging fever and breathing difficulties...The World Health Organisation (WHO) survey of 10 human cases of bird flu in Vietnam, where 14 people have died of the disease, found that of the group eight died, one recovered and another remains in a critical condition."

►February 13, 2004 - MMR rebels run clinics - Evening Mail via http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk - "Parents will be offered a chance to protect their children with individual measles and mumps jabs this weekend...A private clinic is coming to the West Midlands for parents concerned over the safety of the triple MMR jab and its links to autism and bowel disease."

►February 13, 2004 - Aust scientists develop therapeutic HIV vaccine - PM via www.abc.net.au

►February 13, 2004 - 600,000 unaware they are diabetic - Bay Area health officials cautioning women, minorities about disease - Alameda Times-Star

►February 13, 2004 - More bird flu outbreaks confirmed - Xinhuanet via China View

►February 13, 2004 - 8 more flu type A infections, suspects reported in Vietnam - Xinhuanet via China View

►February 13, 2004 - Birds being monitored to prevent spread of bird flu to Beijing - Xinhuanet via China View

►February 13, 2004 - China exports bird flu vaccine to Kyrgyzstan - Xinhuanet via China View

►February 13, 2004 - FAO: bird flu not under control yet - Xinhuanet via China View

►February 13, 2004 - Bird flu vaccine is called feasible - AP via The Boston Globe

►February 13, 2004 - Leopard Dies of Bird Flu - A leopard has died from bird flu in a Thai zoo, it was disclosed today. - The Scotsman - "An official at the zoo said the leopard’s death 'may have been as a result of it eating chicken infected with bird flu'...The World Health Organisation said it had little information about the case – but if confirmed it could be the first time the disease has jumped to exotic animals or members of the cat family."

►February 13, 2004 - China confirms bird flu in Shanghai, Tianjin - Reuters AlertNet

►February 13, 2004 - Vietnam rejects WHO criticism over handling of bird flu outbreak - AFP via www.channelnewsasia.com

►February 13, 2004 - Fight against bird flu outbreak - Voice of Vietnam News

►February 12, 2004 - Planning and coordination key weapons in tackling public health threats Informal Ministerial Meeting of EU Health Ministers Brussels - press release - David Byrne, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection Avian Influenza via Communiqués de presse

►February 13, 2004 - Influenza preparedness: Byrne welcomes ministers' agreement on a coordinated approach - press release - David Byrne, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection Avian Influenza via Communiqués de presse

►February 13, 2004 - Immunization exclusion deadline arrives soon - Corvallis Gazette-Times

►February 13, 2004 - Meningitis drugs blunder - Doctors are hoping to finish giving second doses of antibiotics to 80 children at Tiverton High School on Friday after it emerged a mistake had been made over the mixture. - BBC - "Pupils were given antibiotics on Tuesday after the death of a girl from meningitis the day before...But some of the children who were given the drug in liquid form received a dose that had not been properly mixed."

►February 13, 2004 - Health Officials Urge Halt to Meningitis Shots (requires registration) - Times Wire Services via The Los Angeles Times - "U.S. health officials urged doctors and nurses to temporarily suspend routine use of a booster shot that protects children against bacterial meningitis because of a looming shortage of vaccine...Curtailing the fourth dose of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is not expected to hurt the health of children, officials said."

►February 13, 2004 - Vacaville youth diagnosed with case of spinal meningitis - Times Herald

►February 13, 2004 - Planning for a nightmare - Health Canada outlines strategy in case of a flu pandemic - Experts prepare for staggering hardships and losses - The Toronto Star

►February 13, 2004 - Fight chronic illnesses with a good disease management strategy: Balaji - www.channelnewsasia.com

►February 13, 2004 - In New Jersey, Bird Flu Appears in Live Markets (requires registration) - The Washington Post

►February 13, 2004 - Full year needed to gird Canada for flu pandemic - The Globe and Mail

►February 13, 2004 - Officials Say Avian Flu Poses No Threat in New Jersey (requires registration or subscription) - The New York Times

►February 13, 2004 - New Zealand not to ban cold and flu medicine - Xinhuanet via China View - "The New Zealand government has decided not to ban common cold or flu medicines on pharmacy shelves in the country, New Zealand Press Association reported Friday...Pseudoephedrine, a major ingredient in many medicines, not onlysoothes cough and cold but also is used in the manufacture of the illegal drug methamphetamine (speed), which was reclassified as a Class A drug last year."

►February 13, 2004 - Bird flu: HK sets mass cull plan - AFP via The Australian

►February 13, 2004 - Heat rises on mercury issue - www.idsnews.com

Comment:  No mention of vaccines.