mike in manila - island life

Monday, May 29, 2006

Malaysia: 12 arrests announced - new terror group named - REPORT

Malaysia busts new terror group that as inked to extremists in the Southern Philippines;

The new splinter group authorities say here in the region had a higher level of education and technology skills as opposed to those in the field.

The group has been called the Asian al qaeda 'geek squad' by sources at the Malaysian counter terrorism center which works with other south east Asian governments in combating the spread of terrorism from extremist groups.

A number of high tech bomb making virtual online schools have been traced to Malaysia and the government there has been attempting to counter with mainstream Islamic schools and websites to counter the violent propaganda of the extremists sects in the region.

Authorities in the region are increasingly alarmed over increased recruiting among disgruntled and anti-western younger highly educated Asian Muslims who see the war on terror as a clash of cultures or religion..

These Arrests also marks one of the few times Malaysian authorities have publicly discussed arrests or successes versus groups seen as linked to Jemaah Islamiah and Al Qaeda.

Malaysia's Sipadan resort kidnapping marked the entry of local extremists in the southern Philippines the Abu Sayyaf on the world stage when they kidnapped 22 people from a resort on the island between Malaysia and the Philippines in the Eastern Malaysian portion of Borneo Island.

REPORT:

Malaysia Star - Terror group busted

[]… By WONG CHUN WAI and LOURDES CHARLES

KOTA KINABALU: A new terrorist group suspected of planning attacks on several neighbouring countries has been Read more »

| Uncategorized, news, News and politics, china, war on terror, Democrats, immigration, Filipino, Rants, Raves, Whathaveyou..., protests, border security, al qaeda, abu sayyaf, Jemaah Islamiah

Saturday, May 27, 2006

Hunderds of Boys and teenagers kidnapped in Southern Philippines

By Mike Cohen

Manila - Philippine authorities are desperately searching the countryside in the Southern Philippine province of Sultan Kulerat for a large number of children believed to have been stolen by a cult that is allegedly abusing the children en-masse. In what is being called a massive child search and rescue operation the military and police are looking for a cave where scores of children have been brought to be members of the group; a 'shadowy cult police claim in a remote area. The Philippine Government Philippine News Agency reported "Police in Sultan Kudarat have started looking for a cave where hundreds of children were allegedly being held captive by a cult."

Authorities were alerted to the mass kidnappings after a "account by a 14-year-old boy who claimed to have escaped from the cult prompted authorities to search for the cave, possibly located in the mountains near Lutayan town" the remote hinterland province is home also to rebel groups it i unclear if the children are being kidnapped for service in the various armed bands that roam the Philippine countryside. The government run news agency reports;."The cult is believed responsible for the disappearance of children in various places, including South Cotabato, Sarangani and General Santos City". The areas are large communities where a sudden surge of disappearances has accrued.

"The boy, whose identity and address was withheld for security reasons, was brought to the Lutayan police station by residents approached by the child after fleeing from the cult." The State run news agency report said further “Police say that there have been other similar reports of this kind of crime”. adding further the boys escape may shed light on the disappearance of hundreds of other young boys and teenaged men, “He told policemen that he was kidnapped several weeks ago by a group of men. They covered his nose with a substance-laced cloth and he lost consciousness. When he woke up, the boy found himself in a dark cave filled with children, who were also kidnapped."

In Manila at the National Police Headquarters operations center say they fear the cult may be a cover for a mass recruitment by kidnapping of insurgent groups who have done this before on Basilan Island in the Southern Philippines. Four insurgent groups operate in the Southern Philippines ranging from Communist rebels. Two factions of the Islamic separatist movement the MNLF and the MILF but most of these groups do not engage in kidnapping of children as fighters.

The fourth a Al Qaeda linked group of insurgents called the Abu Sayyaf who are allies of the Jemaah Islamiah and Al Qaeda. Are known to kidnap en-mass to “recruit and brainwash’ young men and boys often keeping them for weeks until they join raids or crime spree’s or using them as ‘cannon fodder” between them and government forces.

Authorities say the last time group had been known to kidnap young men and boys was often prior to engaging in large battles. UNESCO & UNCHR have several times in the past condemned the use of child fighters in conflicts in the Philippine insurgency by armed groups in the last few years as the Philippine economy has improved it has become harder for some armed groups to find recruits claim authorities and they have been known to abduct children in a effort in increase their numbers in the field.

May 28th, 2006 Posted by mikeinmanila | Uncategorized, news, News and politics, News Of China, china, asia, war on terror, Views, war, philippines, Democrats, immigration, Filipino, freedom of speech, protests, border security, free speech, al qaeda, abu sayyaf, fil-am, filipino-american

Thursday, May 25, 2006

http://www.radyopinoy.com/#


Great column by Dan Mariano...

Speak out now or…


BIG DEAL
By DAN MARIANO



In 1946 a German Protestant pastor, Martin Niemoller, wrote:
First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak out for me.

In 1946 a German Protestant pastor, Martin Niemoller, wrote:

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a communist;

Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist;

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist;

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew;

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak out for me.

"They" refer to the Nazis, whose ascent to power in 1933 Niemoller himself had hailed. An ardent German nationalist, Niemoller was born in 1892. At 18 he became an officer-cadet in the German Navy. In World War I he commanded and saw action in a U-boat for which he was awarded the Iron Cross (first class).

Amid the chaos of the Weimar Republic Niemoller bore little sympathy for leftists and liberals. Like many Germans, he blamed the Left for their country’s defeat in World War I. Even after he became a clergyman in 1929 Niemoller’s homilies often revolved around the need for a fuhrer that would restore Germany to imperial greatness.

When World War II broke out Niemoller even volunteered to serve again in the German Navy but was turned down.

Niemoller’s troubles with Adolf Hitler began when the Nazis began to eliminate even those Jews who had already converted to Christianity. The pastor’s "rebellious" sermons caused him to be imprisoned in the Dachau concentration camp.

Only after his country had been devastated by war did Niemoller realize the fatal error he—and many other Germans—committed as they watched with little or no protest the rise of Hitler and his Nazis. Their collective sin of omission helped inflict on the world a curse that took an estimated 61 million human lives.

* * *

Many Filipinos are now committing a similar offense by not speaking out against the spate of political killings. The victims have been either journalists or militant left-wingers. Those who have little sympathy for the media and the left probably even think, good riddance.

But as Niemoller’s poem painfully points out, we may all live to regret our silence.

The Commission on Human Rights has received 143 reports of extrajudicial killings since last year from such groups as Karapatan, Bayan Muna and Anakpawis. CHR Chairman Purificacion Quisumbing has even noted a "pattern of impunity" in the political killings totaling 601 since 2001.

Media watchdogs, meanwhile, hold President Arroyo to account for the 42 journalists killed since she rose to power.

There is, of course, little evidence to show that Mrs. Arroyo has the makings of another Hitler. She has herself ordered an investigation of the political killings. But even the Chief Executive will have to concede the possibility that some of her underlings are involved in the murders.

"The pattern of complaints that come to us show members of the Armed Forces and the [Philippine National Police] as suspects. That has to be addressed and we call on the military to do something about it," Quisumbing has been quoted saying.

The Arroyo administration has repeatedly disavowed any responsibility for the political killings. The disavowal, however, gives the citizenry more reason to be fearful. What it really amounts to is an admission by the authorities that they have lost control of the situation.

"In human rights terms, the government is still responsible even if persons in authority are not those behind the killings. The government is still responsible in protecting the right to life and the security of homes and public order and property," Quisumbing said further.

* * *

Fernando "Dong" Batul is the fifth Filipino journalist murdered this year. Unidentified gunmen shot him dead Monday evening. A former vice-mayor of Puerto Princesa, Batul was a commentator of Palawan’s DYPR radio station.

Former ABS-CBN reporter Mike Cohen was Batul’s classmate in college. In his blog (mikecohenatlarge.blogspot.com), Cohen wrote in part:

"I heard about it when my mother woke me up to watch the government TV station’s morning show. [Puerto Princesa] Mayor [Edward] Hagedorn was on the air talking about the ‘incident.’ What a word to use. Is that the best word to use when a friend from your college days is killed—perhaps I should say—when this senseless, brutal, vicious killing took place in perhaps the most peaceful city in the Philippines?

"Dong was a hard-hitting radio commentator. He took them all on, the military, the political groups, the political leaders, the corrupt members of the business community. The people who could not speak out took Dong to heart for his ability to say things others would not say. Dong was honest to a centavo when we were all on the [Palawan State University] student council. He went into various things—politics among them. He later joined GMA SuperRadio and the Palawan Broadcasting Corp.’s DYPR. He was very popular, well liked.

"I do not want to speculate as to suspects or motives. A week or so ago I wrote about Dong in my blog. He was the subject of a media alert issued by a group that has been monitoring the violence and threats versus writers in print and as well as radio and television broadcasters.

"I want to extend my condolences to his family. I want to say so many things about what I really feel but can’t find the words right now. There are a lot of puzzling questions as to who could do such a crime. It makes me wonder about how safe my old hometown is.

"I also wonder if this is localized? Or part of a nationwide wave of killings of those who speak out, raise their voices and talk about the things some do not want heard…."

Friday, May 19, 2006

Philippine Death Squads: Government & Rebels both point fingers

It has many on the sidelines puzzled who is really behind the wave of killings hiting the Philippine countryside and cities. At present some groiups seeing the reports from UNHCR and others are pressing the US, EU, and Australia to stop military aid until the situation improves. Three years ago the first international reports came out citing the increasing levels of vioence. The report however focuses more on the plight of children and concern over the welfare of those orphaned in the growing conflict and return of a more violent insurgency.

They UNHCR in 2003 did note a "State reforms" but, " lack of appropriate measures to investigate crimes allegedly committed by state security forces and agents"

" Positive aspects "

1. The Committee appreciates the progress made by the State party to reform its domestic legal order to comply with its commitments under the Covenant. It welcomes, among other actions, the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Covenant in August 1989. The Committee considers that the process of reform should be accelerated and strengthened.
2. The Committee notes with satisfaction that the State party has facilitated international assistance in relation to education and training on the protection of human rights.

" Principal subjects of concern and recommendations "
" The Committee is concerned about the lack of appropriate measures to investigate crimes allegedly committed by state security forces and agents, in particular those committed against human rights defenders, journalists and leaders of indigenous peoples, and the lack of measures taken to prosecute and punish the perpetrators. Furthermore, the Committee is concerned at reports of intimidation and threats of retaliation impeding the right to an effective remedy for persons whose rights and freedoms have been violated. "

" The State party should adopt legislative and other measures to prevent such violations, in keeping with articles 2, 6 and 9 of the Covenant, and ensure effective enforcement of the legislation. "

But the recent level of violence is seen not only as a Government issue - the cycle of violence has grown to a level that is alarming.

On one side the Government points to mass graves and claims a purge versus their effective infilltraition of rebel groups has proof of rebel killings of leaders who are becoming mainstream or shying away from armed fighting.

PURGE: "Rebels are killing off their own"

" Palparan…. claimed the killings were part of another round of a bloody purge in the Communist Party of the Philippines and its allied organizations. " adding " This is Operation Missing Link Part two,” Palparan said. The first part, known then as Kampanyang Ahos, happened in the 1980s, mostly in the Bicol and Southern Tagalog regions." he told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

But this is something the Rebel movement denies; claiming it is only a cover story…

The National Democratic Front (NDF) deny a purge within the NPA.
“The government’s false allegation of a purge within the revolutionary movement is meant to further justify more extrajudicial killings,” Luis Jalandoni, the NDF chairman of peace negotiating panel, said in a statement. Jalandoni said the allegations of a purge are part of a propaganda campaign launched by the military.

"The preposterous claim of a purge within the revolutionary movement has long been exposed as a lie by the thinly veiled and arrogant boasts of [Maj. Gen. Jovito] Palparan,” - Manila Times

Maj. Gen. Jovito Parlpalan is the focus of the rebel leaders reactions after he revealed the new discoveries of mass graves and alleged new plot to purge rebel ranks.

Parlpalan has taken pains to secure sites recovered and brought government forensic teams as well as intenrational Human rights groups to the sites of "Mass Graves" his troops have uncovered in the Countryside. Media groups have also focused in the Philippines their attention on Gen. Parlpalan.

Someone - is killing militant leaders that is clear Bulatlat.com reports the figure is up to 97 members of organizations killed on the left of the spectrum of Philippine Politics. It also reports that 3 have been killed and others wounded in the last three days.

" … 97th victim either of killing or involuntary disappearance in Central Luzon since 2005.

Last year, 52 members or leaders of Bayan in the region were killed and seven were abducted and remained missing. Since January of this year, 26 have been killed while 13 were abducted… "

Meanwhile a press release say a "independant group" will carry out its investigation into the both the death squad reports and mass graves and killings. The commision is planning to look into various reports - but both sides the Military and the leftist groups seem so intent at pointing a finger at each other that one wonders if there will be a clear result to this.

Reports like this one however continue to puzzle me… 40 or more bodies none of whem are listed on the cause oriented groups list of people killed. Read more »

May 20th, 2006 | Uncategorized, news, News and politics, News Of China, asia, war on terror, terrorism, Views, philippines, Filipino, Rants, Raves, Whathaveyou..., freedom of speech, protests, republican | no comments | Edit

Philippine Death Squads: International ‘think tank’ & UNESCO monitoring ‘Dangerous Islands’

The numbers of killings taking place in this country versus Political Activists and Journalists is noted on a report of the normally conservative private think tank STRATFOR For the first time I have seen at least; a indication that even conservative think tanks have been watching the activities with interest.

Philippines: Left-Wing Leader Killed
May 19, 2006 15 43 GMT

The leader of Filipino left-wing Kaisa Ka women's group and the Movement for National Democracy was killed May 19. Annaliza Abanador was shot by unidentified gunmen in the latest in a string of killings targeting political activists and journalists in the Philippines. Local human rights group Karapatan has listed nearly 600 civilians, mostly left-wing activists, killed by suspected government forces since 2001. The military, which refers to left-wing groups as fronts for communist rebels, has denied involvement in the killings.- Stratfor report

However the web site report is also not taking into account those on the right wing and military killed in similar small unit target assasinations. Nor the killings by "vigilante' groups in Davao, Cebu, and elsewhere

Overall statisitics of numbers of people killed in Insurgency related violence - a source told me if all the figures are added a marked escalation can be seen for the first six months of this year.

Even the UN education service UNESCO and also UNHCR is adding its voice to the situation:

“When violence poses a permanent threat for journalists, it poses a threat to the whole of society,” UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura said in a statement. “When crimes against journalists remain unpunished, the future of a country is endangered and organized crime or corruption become the main beneficiaries of this impunity.”

Albert Orsolino was shot and killed by in his car in Calooncan City by two unknown assailants on 16 May and Mr. Matsuura reiterated his concern over the particularly violent conditions under which journalists work in the Philippines.- UNSECO STATEMENT

Meanwhile one side of the Government security services seems to be toning down a statement on allegations of a NPA and rougue Military officers plot to target highly placed officails though a uraban Assasination squad leading to some confusion.

The Armed Forces chief and Police inteligence units are looking into reports quoting the Philippines National Security advisor claiming a top level insurgent leadership plot to Assasinate both Administraition and Opposition leaders. While not dismissing a statement of the Philippines National Security advisor on the mater the Military seems to be looking into the situation intently.

May 20th, 2006 | Uncategorized, news, News and politics, pirates, News Of China, china, asia, war on terror, war, philippines, Democrats, immigration, Filipino, Rants, Raves, Whathaveyou..., protests, republican, free speech, al qaeda, Palawan, fil-am, filipino-american, Jemaah Islamiah | no comments | Edit

The Dangerous islands: killing spree continues

Another day another set of ambushes and killings on both the left and right side of the philippine street- also yesterday. A Killing in the middle of the road- another Journalist wrote 30.

Two were gunned down in Mindanao. Two were shot and one killed in Pangasinan

The NPA meanwhile denies there is a purge on … killings are being blamed on all sides and new shadowy groups as well.

Gen. Avalino Razon has his hands full; but he is resourceful- his work is credited for the capture of the likes of Ramsey youseff and others even across borders - so am sure something will come of his investigation.

the targeted killings have been something of a daily occurance so far this year - its happening on all sides of the politcal sepctrum, media also is not spared. So we all balance our reports well… not knowing if what we write or report will put us some strange groups list.

A good sample of balanced reporting and comentary s Dan Mariano's column

I wonder how long the average New York or Los Angeles Journo would last in this environment?

May 17th, 2006 | Uncategorized, news, News and politics, asia, war on terror, war, philippines, Rants, Raves, Whathaveyou..., freedom of speech, republican, al qaeda, Palawan, abu sayyaf, fil-am, filipino-american, Jemaah Islamiah

Monday, May 15, 2006

The dangerous life is back...

Terror from all sides: Mass Graves reported; Purge w/in NPA ranks claims Military, Gov’t - while left claims 93 militants killed by right wing death squads.

Last Friday I put up a post after getting two calls and couple of text messages from Mindanao. Another call came from Tarlac,

Today the first media reports on 'mass grave s' having been found one containing as many as 20 murdered victims, 20 victims, nothing reported in the so called mainstream press or television; Why? good question, perhaps because so many killings are taking place 93 militants, I can't even remember how many people anymore in my profession, journalism in the last two years.

This discovery came after a couple of text messages and emails, the CDO mass grave contained a number of victims; in media we know about this occurring the late and mid 1980's BUT these graves contents I am told were New.

The grave(s) alleged the caller were victims of a left wing purge inside the leftist movement, or, so the first caller claimed - a report today in the Philippine Star - said that the Armed forces according to national security advisor Norberto Gonzales had recovered a series of small graves and that Police and the NBI were investigating;

That a NBI medico Legal teams was on site; the findings showed the contents to have been from the last few months. On the other hand I am sure there is always a possibility of some extent of truth to the Military's reports. But, with all the other killings many in broad daylight the tactics of 'right wing' militia like attacks. One wonders just how many more sites are out there awaiting discovery from too many factions within armed groups to mention.

The discovery also is coming on heels of 93 deaths of leftist group members in the country shows a pattern of a 'dark side' of insurgency is rising to the surface.

Of assassination teams on the right and left some perhaps also might group in those of the middle or Vigilante groups- adding all those numbers and bodies and you get a figure of over 600 victims in the last three years more or less.

Groups it seems are 'taking out' opponents with impunity. Add to this the specter of reports I had received last year of new "sparrow type" and 'eagle squad' units being trained by all sides and factions from rebel groups to militia units and a specter of a new wave of violence is coming to fold.

So far, the opposing death squads seem to be focusing on people within the organizations on both sides - so Military, Media, and, Police reports claim. On wonders when the squads will go after more visible targets, so far the units have been acting on localized vendettas and attacks, there is no clear pattern investigators say; But so far little of this is being pulled together.

Lets take the last week alone- a pastor and his wife were gunned down in Misamais oriental he had ties to a labor group, a 6 members of leftist 'peoples' groups killed, these new graves discovered with some fifty bodies, 5 more reports in rural areas of killings and shootings, a mayor almost hit south of manila in Laguna.

One thing is clear - there is a growth industry - in death by gunfire this month. Most of it out of public view, all of it on top of insurgency related clashes and attacks, then don't forget the other insurgency in Mindanao. The violence is growing; lets hope as is traditional the rainy season cools off the killings. Even though the rains themselves bring death from floods and landslides and ships sinking - the purges, death squads, and vigilantes show clearly that; 'The dangerous life' is back in the Philippines anew.

May 15th, 2006 Posted by mikeinmanila | Uncategorized, news, News and politics, asia, war on terror, Views, philippines, immigration, Filipino, Bush, Rants, Raves, Whathaveyou..., al qaeda, abu sayyaf, filipino-american

Monday, May 15, 2006

The dangerous life is back...

Terror from all sides: Mass Graves reported; Purge w/in NPA ranks claims Military, Gov’t - while left claims 93 militants killed by right wing death squads.

Last Friday I put up a post after getting two calls and couple of text messages from Mindanao. Another call came from Tarlac,

Today the first media reports on 'mass grave s' having been found one containing as many as 20 murdered victims, 20 victims, nothing reported in the so called mainstream press or television; Why? good question, perhaps because so many killings are taking place 93 militants, I can't even remember how many people anymore in my profession, journalism in the last two years.

This discovery came after a couple of text messages and emails, the CDO mass grave contained a number of victims; in media we know about this occurring the late and mid 1980's BUT these graves contents I am told were New.

The grave(s) alleged the caller were victims of a left wing purge inside the leftist movement, or, so the first caller claimed - a report today in the Philippine Star - said that the Armed forces according to national security advisor Norberto Gonzales had recovered a series of small graves and that Police and the NBI were investigating;

That a NBI medico Legal teams was on site; the findings showed the contents to have been from the last few months. On the other hand I am sure there is always a possibility of some extent of truth to the Military's reports. But, with all the other killings many in broad daylight the tactics of 'right wing' militia like attacks. One wonders just how many more sites are out there awaiting discovery from too many factions within armed groups to mention.

The discovery also is coming on heels of 93 deaths of leftist group members in the country shows a pattern of a 'dark side' of insurgency is rising to the surface.

Of assassination teams on the right and left some perhaps also might group in those of the middle or Vigilante groups- adding all those numbers and bodies and you get a figure of over 600 victims in the last three years more or less.

Groups it seems are 'taking out' opponents with impunity. Add to this the specter of reports I had received last year of new "sparrow type" and 'eagle squad' units being trained by all sides and factions from rebel groups to militia units and a specter of a new wave of violence is coming to fold.

So far, the opposing death squads seem to be focusing on people within the organizations on both sides - so Military, Media, and, Police reports claim. On wonders when the squads will go after more visible targets, so far the units have been acting on localized vendettas and attacks, there is no clear pattern investigators say; But so far little of this is being pulled together.

Lets take the last week alone- a pastor and his wife were gunned down in Misamais oriental he had ties to a labor group, a 6 members of leftist 'peoples' groups killed, these new graves discovered with some fifty bodies, 5 more reports in rural areas of killings and shootings, a mayor almost hit south of manila in Laguna.

One thing is clear - there is a growth industry - in death by gunfire this month. Most of it out of public view, all of it on top of insurgency related clashes and attacks, then don't forget the other insurgency in Mindanao. The violence is growing; lets hope as is traditional the rainy season cools off the killings. Even though the rains themselves bring death from floods and landslides and ships sinking - the purges, death squads, and vigilantes show clearly that; 'The dangerous life' is back in the Philippines anew.

May 15th, 2006 Posted by mikeinmanila | Uncategorized, news, News and politics, asia, war on terror, Views, philippines, immigration, Filipino, Bush, Rants, Raves, Whathaveyou..., al qaeda, abu sayyaf, filipino-american

Thursday, May 11, 2006

‘Killing field’ mass grave uncovered in Northern Mindanao A mass grave was unearthed south of Cagayan De Oro city in Mindanao a report reaching manila has said. A investigation team is at the scene of the site. It is still unclear which group may be responcible for the area, Many of these mass graves are unearthed. Some contain victims of purges or execution styled killings. A number of mass graves unearthed in the past. Most contained the remains of suspected victims of internal strife within the rebel groups- however- in some cases the victims were seen as possible deaths from combat who were hurredly burreid. It is unclaer exactly which group may be responcible for the site. The Government has dispatched a team of investigators to the area as well as non-government human rights groups. The 40 year insurgency with the Maoist-Marxist New Peoples Army and the Government has been blamed for over 100,000 deaths over the last nealry 40 years. A team member at the site believes the grave is recent - if this is true it would be a major discovery. However experts caution to wait for the forensics investigation to check on the site which is in a remote wooded area. May 12th, 2006 at 06:19am Posted by mikeinmanila Uncategorized, news, News and politics, pirates, asia, war on terror, terrorism, Views, philippines, immigration, border security, fil-am, filipino-american, Jemaah Islamiah

Friday, May 05, 2006

WHO: "get the world ready for a pandemic."

Warning about Bird flu have anew been raised in the World Health Organizations head; UN health organizations medical staff are also warnings that there is a strong need to revitalize human public health care.
In part they blame in the West "the decades of privatisation and handing over health care to huge HMO's and Health Service providers." tasks that governments had been in charge of may be endangering populations.

There is a lot of information online in the USA:

Avian influenza virus usually refers to influenza A viruses found chiefly in birds, but infections can occur in humans. The risk is generally low to most people, because the viruses do not usually infect humans. However, confirmed cases of human infection have been reported since 1997.…more

Information is also available from the WHO:

WHO is coordinating the global response to human cases of H5N1 avian influenza and monitoring the corresponding threat of an influenza pandemic. Information on this page tracks the evolving situation and provides access to both technical guidelines and information useful for the general public.

Latest information

5 May 2006
Avian influenza – situation in Egypt - update 7
Full text

5 May 2006
Cumulative Number of Confirmed Human Cases of Avian Influenza A/(H5N1) Reported to WHO
Full text

19 April 2006
Aide-Memoire: Infection control recommendations for avian influenza
Full text


Your best defense is information -