H5N1

After a string of breaches involving anthrax, Ebola, and bird flu, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reportedly replaced the director of its Division of Select Agents and Toxins.

In the wake of a handful of biosafety lapses at federal research facilities, the US government is temporarily halting funding for new studies aiming to give novel functions to influenza, SARS, and MERS viruses.

Following recent high-profile safety lapses in government labs, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has placed a moratorium on movement of biological materials from BSL-3 and BSL-4 facilities.

A person in Canada has died of the first confirmed human case of H5N1 avian flu in North America.

A group of scientists has called on the European Commission to evaluate the risks and benefits of research that could make deadly viruses more transmissible.

The US Food and Drug Administration OKs a vaccine against the virus that last year had the scientific community debating the regulation of deadly pathogen research.

Flu researchers propose H7N9 studies; NIH makes deal to share HeLa genome; herbal “remedies” can cause cancer; scientists record grid cell activity in humans

As new infections surface and spread, science meets the challenges with ingenuity and adaptation.

Hybrid viruses derived from an H5N1 bird flu strain can infect guinea pigs through the air.

After a year-long voluntary moratorium to discuss regulations and safety measures, scientists are set to resume controversial H5N1 research.

The National Institutes of Health reveals a controversial plan to regulate the funding of H5N1 research.

Cockfighting and other cultural practices in Southeast Asia could greatly aid the spread of deadly diseases like bird flu.

September 2012's selection of notable quotes

The second of the two controversial bird flu papers is published in Science, revealing that just five mutations can render the virus transmissible between ferrets.

New PCR assay can detect more than 40 strains of H5N1 in a single go.

After much ado, Nature publishes the first report of a bird flu virus adapted for transmission in ferrets.

A US science official recommends extending moratorium on bird flu studies as well as other types of risky research.

The NIH agrees with the government advisory board’s recommendation to publish both controversial bird flu studies in full.

Science adviser John Holdren speaks out about how the Presidential Administration is handling the controversial research that rendered avian flu transmissible between ferrets.