Medical blog » year

Bird Flu Risk Rises Ahead of Lunar New Year Next Week

admin — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 01:00:59 +0000

Jan. 21 (Bloomberg) — Human bird-flu infections may rise in
Asia as people handle more poultry for next week’s Lunar New Year
celebrations, according to a United Nations veterinarian who
tracks the virus in birds.
Health authorities in China, South Korea and Vietnam have
stepped up surveillance of H5N1 avian influenza among poultry
ahead of the festival, which starts Jan. 26. Production of
chickens and ducks swells as much as three times in the run-up to
the holiday, making outbreaks more likely, said
in Hanoi, Vietnam.
“It’s a little bit more of a tinderbox,” Gilbert said in a
telephone interview yesterday. “If it’s going to happen, it’s
more likely to happen now than in another two or three months.”
A flu pandemic of avian or other origin could kill 71
million people worldwide and lead to a “major global recession”
costing more than $3 trillion, according to a worst-case scenario
outlined by the World Bank in October.
Indonesia, which leads the world in human deaths from bird
flu, reported two more fatalities today. China has reported three
human deaths from the virus this year and Vietnam has reported
one case in a girl who recovered. Last week Nepal reported its
first outbreak of the virus among poultry.
In Vietnam, the nation with the most outbreaks of H5N1 in
birds since late 2003, cases in poultry surged in the lead-up to
the Lunar New Year every year from 2004 to 2007, FAO figures show.
The number of outbreaks in the country have dropped roughly by
half in the past two years, and no new infections in fowl have
been reported so far this year to the Paris-based
.
Health authorities have been monitoring H5N1 for more than a
decade for any sign that it’s becoming as contagious as seasonal
flu. While millions of birds have been infected, fewer than 400
people are reported to have contracted the illness, of which
almost 250 have died, according to the Geneva-based
.
The world is closer to another flu pandemic than at any time
since 1968, when the last of the previous century’s three
pandemics occurred, according to the WHO. The H5N1 virus has
spread to more than 60 countries and caused at least 6,500
poultry outbreaks since 2003.
.
Last Updated: January 21, 2009 02:59 EST

Medical Care Facility struggles through very difficult year

admin — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 11:52:56 +0000

Friday, January 23, 2009 11:04 AM EST
CASSOPOLIS – Isolated Cass County Medical Care Facility “experienced one of its most difficult years” in 2007-2008, Administrator Merri Terborgh and Dowagiac certified public accountant Rebecca L. Moore acknowledged to the Board of Commissioners Thursday night.
A Sept. 30, 2008, audit conducted by Plante Moran chronicles alarming financial swings.
Cash decreased $451,000, from $1,971,866 on Sept. 30, 2007, to $1,520,858 a year later.
Accounts receivable increased $322,000 over the same period, from $824,466 to $1,146,152.
Accounts payable and liabilities mounted $393,000, from $463,641 to $856,257.
Total operating revenue eroded $13,000, from $6,294,976 to $6,281,993.
Salaries and wages climbed $181,000, from $3,199,805 to $3,381,118 in tandem with other expenses rising $561,000 12 months, from $3,008,582 to $3,569,527.
Operating income showed a $755,000 decrease, from a profit of $86,589 to a $668,652 loss.
The women said a substantial increase in expenses included fines and assessments.
Outside consultants and advisers who had to be brought in to return the nursing facility to compliance contributed to the drop in cash by year end.
Accounts receivable and accounts payable both increased considerably mostly due to problems with Medicare reimbursement lapsing last summer and a subsequent delay in issuance of payments to the facility, then the resulting lack of cash to pay vendors in a timely fashion.
The audit found administrative expenses soared $344,000 primarily due to fines and consultants brought in to address deficiencies and compliance issues.
Facility and plant operations jumped $75,000. Therapy services increased $50,000. And nursing services increased $255,000.
“Just so you know,” Moore advised commissioners, “we are starting down a path that’s going to take months. It’s probably going to be the end of this year before we have any good answers. We are putting pretty much anything that has to do with finances and accounting under a microscope out there and trying to determine if it’s being done the most efficient way, which we’ve already determined in many ways that is not the answer. We’re changing methodology. Everything’s subject to being looked at and changed. Little by little, that’s what our plan is right now. Nothing was being done out there in a timely manner.”
A glimmer of good news amidst the gloom, Moore noted, “Because the facility had been run so well for so long, in ‘06 they had 167 days cash on hand. In 2007, they had 174 days cash on hand. Even with the results of last year, they have 129 days cash on hand, which compared to the benchmark Plante and Moran uses of 104. We’re not financially destitute. We just need to get ahold of our problems and get them fixed. We haven’t lost so much ground that we can’t make it up. We just need to get a grip on things,” such as “lack of billing. There have been items out there that have not been billed properly. We’ve got to get things posted and up to date. For example, I went in there in December, when the auditors were starting. None of the bank accounts had been reconciled for the entire year. Financial statements were being prepared outside of the software, which to me is not a very trustworthy way to do it.”
Terborgh came on board in October. “In terms of positive changes for the facility, one of the first major decisions I made was to call Terry (Proctor, county administrator) to tap into your financial operation and get some help. He introduced me to Becky, and that has been the greatest positive change. One issue was that the Medical Care Facility became an isolated island. There was no input from the outside world in terms of regulations, how to document things to keep compliance. There’s never been a question that we provide good care,” but as far as the state is concerned, “If you don’t document it, it didn’t happen. If you don’t keep up on the rules, you don’t get things written down correctly. A lot of money went to high-powered consultants that the state recognizes. They saved the facility last summer. It’s like the MasterCard ads: Saving the facility. Priceless.”
Terborgh said Moore’s office “drug us into this century. Electronic transfers were not being done previously. We literally had staff running up and down the road with bank deposits. High accounts receivables are being worked, old bills are being cleaned up. All in all, the business office is beginning to hum and look like a real business.”
Terborgh stressed, “It’s not all been gnashing of teeth,” although she was confronted with converting more than 80 televisions to digital before Feb. 17. “Cable doesn’t come anywhere near our cornfield,” she said, but county Maintenance Supervisor Dave Dickey assisted. Residents enjoy 24 satellite and seven local channels, including one the facility can program.
The MCF also has a new maintenance director with 32 years of experience who can “fix a lot of things we previously had to hire out,” Terborgh said. “We for the first time have a licensed social worker, which if we ever want to go wild and impetuous and build another unit on, as the building was designed, that’s a necessary requirement.”
Although small community hospitals “are a long way from electronic medical records” that President Obama favors, “We pretty much are there. Ninety percent of our records are automated. The next step is to tie that into our billing. In a very short time we’re taking leaps.”
Terborgh recapped for commissioners the MCF’s “wonderful holiday season,” including a New Year’s Eve celebration with “hats and horns, a fake clock, shrimp, meatballs and live music.
“Residents voted to have it at dinnertime so they didn’t have to stay up late,” she said. “Everybody headed to bed about 9 o’clock and felt good the next morning. The staff are very warm, caring people who provide good care. They decorated the dining room.”
At Thanksgiving, “We did turkey dinners for 90 family members as well as our 80 residents. We did an open house with hors d’ouevres at Christmas for family members so they could be with their loved ones in a party setting,” Terborgh said.
“I’ve never seen such a turnaround,” praised Commissioner Carl Higley Sr., R-Ontwa Township, thanking Moore, Terborgh and Dickey.
Higley lauded Terborgh’s literal “open door” policy. “Used to be, the doors to the offices were closed. It was not like the public place it is.”

Generic drugs save NNY residents $14.55 million in one year

admin — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 12:24:26 +0000

Generic prescription drugs continue to be filled at pharmacies throughout the state, leaving more brand name drugs on the shelves, saving consumers millions of dollars each year.
For the north country, those savings reached $14.55 million for 2008, according to a report released late last month by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.
The estimated savings for Lewis County in 2007-08 are $2.04 million, while the estimated generic savings for St. Lawrence County are $5.16 million, according to the Excellus report. Jefferson County residents saved approximately $7.35 million by having prescriptions filled with generic drugs.
“We have to give generic by law, whatever is available,” said Lori E. Farquhar, pharmacist at The Falls Pharmacy, Lyons Falls.
“They’re comparable to the brand names, but a lot cheaper because generic companies don’t incur the cost of research and development. The quality is the same.”
Consumers save money because they have less out-of-pocket cost when generic prescription drugs are purchased, compared with the more expensive brand name drugs.
Generic drugs are compared with equivalent brand name drugs in the Food and Drug Administration’s “Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations” book, or “Orange Book.” Barbara A. Lofink, supervising pharmacist at P&C Food Inc., Carthage, said certain generic drugs might not be dispensed if they are not pharmaceutically and therapeutically equivalent to brand names.
“That’s one thing that makes you feel safe about the generics. New York state has stringent requirements,” she said.
If a doctor requests a brand name, he or she must write “dispense as written” on the bottom of the prescription. Patients don’t have the option to choose a brand name, Mrs. Lofink said.
She said she has recognized an increase in generic prescriptions, and although part of that is due to law that requires the cheaper medications to be given, the advent of Medicare Part D also encouraged seniors to switch to generic drugs.
Details of the Excellus report include that the percentage of generic prescriptions increased from 59.6 percent in 2007 to 64.7 percent in 2008 within the Central New York region of the state, which encompasses Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.
Total estimated 2008 savings for the region, which also includes Oswego, Onondaga, Cayuga, Tompkins, Cortland and parts of Madison counties, was $82.31 million.
In 39 upstate New York counties, there was a total savings of $369 million in 2008, compared with 2007. The Excellus report said the analysis was based on prescription patterns of approximately 1.2 million people living in 39 counties of upstate New York from October 2007 to October 2008.

Soccer-Napoli's Mannini banned for year for missed drugs test

admin — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 09:22:41 +0000

MILAN, Jan 29 (Reuters) – Napoli winger Daniele Mannini and
striker Davide Possanzini have been banned for a year after
arriving late for a drugs test when playing for Serie B side
Brescia, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said on
Thursday.
The pair, who were late for a doping test at a match against
Chievo in Dec. 2007, were banned for 15 days in March by an
Italian Olympic Committee judge but the World Anti-Doping Agency
(WADA) appealed to CAS and asked for tougher sentences.
Mannini, 25, signed for Serie A side Napoli in January last
year and has contributed to their impressive recent form.
The severity of the punishments prompted criticism from the
Italian Footballers’ Association (AIC) and Mannini’s lawyer was
stunned by the decision.
“It is a shocking and unbelievable sentence,” Mattia
Grassani told the ANSA news agency. “Mannini and Possanzini have
been treated…like full-blown doping athletes. They never took
doping substances. CAS knows this.”
Italian soccer federation chief Giancarlo Abete told
reporters he was perplexed by a sentence that seemed excessive
to him and the AIC expressed indignation.
“The AIC Management Board will be immediately called to
decide on what initiatives can be taken as a sign of protest at
a sentence that is unacceptable, disproportionate with respect
to the length of a footballer’s career, unjustified from all
points of view,” said a statement on the association’s website
(www.assocalciatori.it).
(Reporting by Mark Meadows, additional reporting by Paul Virgo;
Editing by John Mehaffey)

Gyms Have Special Offers for the New Year! Find a Fitness Club …

admin — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 21:42:55 +0000

Studies emphasize the important role played by physical activity in public health efforts to combat obesity and diseases. Frequent and regular physical activity boosts the immune system, helps prevent diseases, improves mental health and helps prevent depression. It may help decrease the effects of childhood obesity. Childhood obesity has become a major reason of concern, as most of the obese children are more likely to develop obesity-related diseases. The risk factors for type 2 diabetes include obesity and inactivity. According to a recent report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 90 percent of diabetes are type 2, the form directly linked to obesity.

4-year-old girl killed in washing machine

admin — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 08:18:24 +0000

Updated at 5 p.m.:
The girl has been identified as Kayley Ishii.
A 4-year-old girl was killed when she became trapped inside a washing machine, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department said today.
The child apparently climbed into a front-loading washing machine Monday afternoon at her home in Mission Viejo, said sheriff’s spokesman Jim Amormino.
Her mother told investigators that the girl’s 15-month-old brother managed to start the machine, and it was several minutes before she realized what had happened.
“The mother frantically tried to rescue the daughter and called paramedics,” Amormino said. The child was rushed to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, where she died at 8:30 p.m., Amormino said.
An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death. The incident is under investigation, but Amormino said it was possible that the case would turn out to be a “tragic accident.”

Women's shelter has opened for year-round help

admin — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 17:57:32 +0000

Monday, February 16, 2009
The Prescott Area Women’s Shelter (PAWS) has announced that as of Feb. 2, the shelter has opened its doors to provide year-round emergency shelter services.
Guests must arrive between 5 and 6 p.m. for check-in procedures. Hours will be overnight, from 5 p.m. until 8 a.m. Women and their children (male children must be younger than 12) will be admitted if they agree to abide by the rules and regulations of the shelter, are not intoxicated, do not appear to be a danger to others, and are not victims of domestic violence.
PAWS also still needs volunteers for the following positions each night: Behavioral Health Worker, PAWS Advocate, Night Shift Supervisor ($25 stipend per night), and Shelter Meal Provider.
For information, contact Jennifer Maynard at jmaynard@ycvp.org or 778-5933 about upcoming volunteer training sessions. The shelter is at 336 N. Rush St. in Prescott.

Drugs valued at €212m seized by Garda last year

admin — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 05:17:06 +0000

Monday, January 5, 2009
CONOR LALLY, Crime Correspondent
THE VALUE of illicit drugs seized by garda last year exceeded €200 million. The total value of main drug types seized last year was €212.3 million, compared with €167.5 million in 2007.
The seizures in both years are well ahead of trends in the previous five years, when drugs valued at between €80 million and just over €100 million were seized annually.
There were increases in value of almost all drug types seized in 2008, with heroin and cocaine showing strong gains.
The combined value of all cocaine seized by garda in 2008 was €131.7 million, by far the biggest of any drug type. This compares with €123.4 million for cocaine seizures in 2007.
The annual 2008 figure includes the haul of about 1.5 tonnes found on a boat off the Cork coast in November.
While the Cork seizure was by far the biggest of any drug type last year, a similar seizure was made in 2007, also in the waters off Cork.
It means the inclusion of the massive November haul, which was destined for Britain, does not skew the comparable annual drug seizure figures for the past two years.
Following cocaine, combined heroin seizures were worth more in value than any other drug type during last year, when €40.2 million worth of the drug was found by garda. This compares with €29.7 million in 2007.
It is believed last year was the first time heroin seizures passed the €40 million mark.
Cannabis in various forms – including plants, herb and resin – with a combined value of €38.4 million was seized during last year, up from €10.5 million in 2007.
Ecstasy seizures were down from €2.88 million in 2007 to €1.99 million last year. Demand for the drug is only a fraction of what it was in the early part of the decade.
The drug seizure figures for 2008 have been compiled by An Garda Sochna. They are provisional and may change.
Garda sources said while the record seizures reveal a continued strong demand for drugs in the Republic, the increases also suggest the force is enjoying more success than ever against drugs gangs.
The Garda figures do not include drug seizures made by Revenue’s Customs and Excise service, which reached about €30 million last year, mainly at airports and ports.
Some of Revenue’s seizures were made outside ports of entry after drugs were allowed to travel on to their delivery destinations while under surveillance by garda and Customs officials.
Excluding the 1.5 tonnes of cocaine found in Cork, most of the drugs seized by garda were found in a large number of search operations.
These typically resulted in quantities of drugs valued at between several hundred thousand euros and one or two million euros being found. However, in relation to the heroin trade, seizures tended to be fewer and larger.
This indicates that a small number of well-organised gangs are running the lucrative heroin trade, while the cocaine and cannabis trade is more fractured.
For example, five heroin seizures during the year account for just over half of all heroin seized in the State last year.
In January, garda found heroin valued at €7 million in Palmerstown, Dublin.
In June, some €4 million worth of the drug was found in Clondalkin, Dublin. In July, heroin valued at €4 million was found in a car near the M50.
In October, €2.4 million worth of the drug was found in Templeogue, Dublin.
Last month €6 million worth was found in two Dutch trucks in Dublin Port.
Most of the heroin seized here originates in Afghanistan. It is imported to Ireland via mainland Europe, mainly Spain and the Netherlands.
Most of the cocaine originates in Colombia and other Latin American countries. It usually enters the State via southern Spain, to where it is shipped often via west Africa. Cannabis is grown across the world with large-scale production in Morocco, Lebanon and Pakistan.

New Initiative Urges Women to Address Men's Health this New Year

admin — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:52:27 +0000

Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Offers New Tools for the New Year to Help Women
Identify and Discuss Symptoms of Low Testosterone in their Husbands and Male
Partners

MARIETTA, Ga., Jan. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Nine out of 10 women in
the United States are unaware that if their husband or male partner
experiences symptoms like fatigue, depressed mood and increased waistline it
could be related to a condition known as low testosterone, or Low T, according
to survey results announced today by Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. For women
resolving to talk to their husbands or boyfriends about making their health a
priority this New Year, one important aspect to consider is low testosterone.
Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has introduced a toll-free number, 1-866-996-LowT
(5698), available through the end of January, and expanded Web site offerings
at www.IsItLowT.com to support women who are encouraging the men in their
lives to have an annual medical exam this year and consider talking about
symptoms that may be related to Low T.
The survey of women with husbands or male partners over 40, found that
women are twice as likely as men to prompt their partners to have an annual
medical exam. Further, 65 percent of women said that worrying about their
husband or male partner’s overall health will affect their anxiety levels in
2009, and one part of overall health is low testosterone, which also includes
symptoms such as fatigue, depression and sexual dysfunction. As women enter
the New Year with the men in their lives’ health in mind, these new tools
offer them easily-accessible information including a low testosterone
screener, tips on starting a conversation with men about Low T, facts on the
relationship between Type 2 diabetes and low testosterone, and treatment
options for low testosterone.
“Thirteen million men in the U.S. age 45 and older suffer from low
testosterone, but less than 10 percent are receiving treatment. Not enough men
are aware of what the symptoms are, and they should consider talking to a
physician,” said Harry Fisch, M.D. Professor of Clinical Urology, Columbia
University, New York Presbyterian Hospital. “Women play an active role in
their husband’s health; if they are better informed about the signs and
symptoms of treatable medical conditions such as low testosterone they can
help make a big impact in the health of their male partners.”
Survey Key Findings
— Women reported that time away from work would be the leading obstacle
keeping their husband or male partner from a doctor’s visit in 2009; more than
a quarter of women (27 percent) also said that fear and lack of motivation
would play a role in preventing a doctor’s visit.
— 82 percent of women responded that their spouse or male partner was
more likely to discuss changes in cardiovascular health, eyesight or hearing
with them after an annual medical exam than changes in weight or sexual
function.
— Women were two times more likely to attribute symptoms, such as fatigue
and depressed mood, to thyroid disease or diabetes than to the possibility
that the men lives may be suffering from low testosterone.
— Not surprisingly, on average women report that the men in their lives
spend five times more hours a month watching television than addressing their
personal health; less than a quarter (21 percent) said that long-term health
is most important to their husband’s or male partner’s daily life.
“The New Year is the perfect opportunity for men to take time out to
address their overall health, including Low T, by having an annual medical
exam, and discussing any questions or concerns that they might have with their
physicians,” said Dr. Elizabeth M. Mutisya, vice president of U.S. Medical
Affairs and chief medical officer, Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. “We are
pleased to announce the launch of 1-866-996-LowT and www.IsItLowT.com as part
of our ongoing commitment to educating men and their loved ones about low
testosterone.”
www.IsItLowT.com and 1-866-996-LowT provide fast and easy ways to learn
about Low T. These resources include an interactive quiz to determine a
patient’s potential for having Low T, ways to engage in conversations with a
doctor about symptoms associated with low testosterone, and a guide to help
women have a productive dialogue about low testosterone with the men in their
lives.
About the Survey
Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. commissioned Opinion Research Corporation to
survey 406 women married or in a relationship with men over 40 years old to
assess the role women play in their partner’s health. The random phone survey
also explored respondents’ opinions about how well their male partner managed
his health in 2008 and his level of dedication to his health versus other
activities in his life.
The margin of error at a 95 percent confidence level is plus or minus 4.9
percentage points for the total sample in each survey. The study was
conducted December 4-8, 2008.
About Low Testosterone
It is estimated that hypogonadism, also known as low testosterone, affects
more than 13 million men in the United States age 45 and older. Because signs
and symptoms of low testosterone are subtle and often overlap with other
common medical conditions, low testosterone is frequently undiagnosed. Signs
and symptoms of low testosterone include low sex drive, erectile dysfunction,
fatigue, depressed mood, reduced muscle mass and strength, increased fat body
mass and decreased bone mineral density.
Men with chronic conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, high blood
pressure, high cholesterol and asthma/COPD, are also more likely to have low
testosterone compared to other men. Below normal levels of testosterone can be
confirmed by a blood test. Testosterone treatment is designed to elevate a
hypogonadal male’s testosterone levels into the normal physiologic range,
which may alleviate symptoms related to low testosterone. As with any
medication, patients should work with their physician to weigh treatment
benefits and risks.
— Do not use androgen therapy if:
– You are a man with known or suspected prostate cancer, or if you have
breast cancer.
– You are a woman who is breastfeeding, pregnant, or may become
pregnant.
— Patients treated with androgens may be at an increased risk for
prostate cancer. Your doctor will likely monitor for prostate cancer before
and during treatment with androgens.
— Patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) who are treated with
androgens are at an increased risk of worsening of BPH symptoms.
About Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc., of Marietta, Georgia, is the U.S. subsidiary
of Solvay Pharmaceuticals. For more information, visit
www.solvaypharmaceuticals-us.com.
Solvay Pharmaceuticals is a research driven group of companies that
constitute the global pharmaceutical business of the Solvay Group. These
companies seek to fulfill carefully selected, unmet medical needs in the
therapeutic areas of neuroscience, cardio-metabolic, influenza vaccines,
gastroenterology, and men’s and women’s health. Its 2007 sales were EUR 2.6
billion and it employs more than 9,000 people worldwide. For more information,
visit www.solvaypharmaceuticals.com.
Solvay is an international chemical and pharmaceutical Group with
headquarters in Brussels. It employs more than 28,000 people in 50 countries.
In 2007, its consolidated sales amounted to EUR 9.6 billion, generated by its
three sectors of activity: Chemicals, Plastics and Pharmaceuticals. Solvay
(NYSE Euronext: SOLB.BE – Bloomberg: SOLB.BB – Reuters: SOLBt.BR) is listed on
the NYSE Euronext stock exchange in Brussels. Details are available at
www.solvay.com.

An electronic press kit (EPK) is available at

http://www.firstlinemedia.com/newyearsmenshealth.

Contact:
Jessica Riley
Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(770) 578-5637

Dave Schemelia
HealthStar Public Relations
(609) 468-9325

SOURCE Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Jessica Riley, Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc., +1-770-578-5637; Dave Schemelia,
HealthStar Public Relations, +1-609-468-9325, for Solvay Pharmaceuticals,
Inc.

China Confirms 4th Bird Flu Infection This Year

admin — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 06:10:27 +0000

January 20, 2009 1:45 a.m. EST
Beijing, China (AHN) – Health officials of Hunan Province in central China on Monday said a 16-year-old local boy is critically ill from bird flu infection.
The Hunan provincial health bureau identified the victim only by his family name Wu from the southwestern Guizhou Province. The boy was infected on Jan. 8 and his condition worsened eight days later, bureau officials said.
The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention detected the avian influenza strain H5N1 in the blood of the patient now confined at a Huaihua City hospital. People who had contact with the infected boy have been isolated and monitored, but, so far, they have not shown symptoms of the disease.
On Saturday, authorities learned that a two-year-old girl from northern Shanxi Province was infected with the H5N1 virus. On the same day, a 27-year-old woman from east China’s Shandong Province died from bird flu infection.
The first bird flu fatality in China this year was Huang Yanqing, 19. She died in Beijing on Jan. 5.