Firm Warned of Flu Weeks Before WHO Alert

WHO investigates claim that H1N1 arose from human error

(NEWSER) - The World Health Organization is investigating a claim by an Australian researcher that the swine flu virus may have been created in a laboratory as a result of human error. Adrian Gibbs, who helped develop Tamiflu, said in an interview with Bloomberg that the new strain may have evolved in eggs that drug makers use to make vaccines. "One of the simplest explanations is that it’s a laboratory escape," he said. More»

(NEWSER) - The US is now confirming 40 cases of swine flu, while the death toll in Mexico is thought to have risen to 149, the Wall Street Journal reports. Of more than a thousand suspected cases in Mexico, only 26 have been confirmed, along with six in Canada and one in Spain, the WHO reports. The European Union's health commissioner warned today against traveling to North America "unless it is very urgent." The US' Centers for Disease Control, however, called that pronouncement unwarranted. More»

(NEWSER) - President Barack Obama was exposed this month in Mexico to a potential case of swine flu the day before the ailing Mexican official died, reports the Independent. Distinguished archeologist Felipe Solis, who met Obama at a state dinner, showed the president around Mexico's anthropology museum 11 days ago during Obama's visit to Mexico. Solis died the following day from "flu-like symptoms," according to Mexican press reports. Mexican officials deny Solis suffered from swine flu, and said he died of pneumonia. More»

US is 'not at all out of the woods,' CDC chief says

(NEWSER) - H1N1 continues to spread, albeit at a subdued pace. The chances of a third outbreak this season seem slight, but even though swine flu is not mounting a major offensive, it seems unusually resilient—most influenza outbreaks would've dissipated by now. Deaths from pneumonia and influenza are up, for the third week, but it is impossible to know what percentage of that is from H1N1. More»

Phishing scheme asks targets to register for vaccination

(NEWSER) - Bogus email alert: Be on the lookout for messages allegedly from the CDC about a "mandatory" swine flu vaccination program. The emails ask recipients to enter personal information in order to get vaccinated, but unlucky registrants get malware instead of medicine. The CDC has confirmed that it is not running a mandatory vaccination program, the Baltimore Sun reports. More»