Disease

China: Human H5N6 avian influenza

The China National Health Commission reported an additional human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) in Guangxi today. The patient had contact with live poultry before the onset of the disease.

Animal anthrax outbreak in the Hautes-Alpes, France

The deadliest anthrax outbreak in the past two decades is sweeping through the French countryside, leaving dozens of dead cows, sheep and horses in its wake, according to news reports.

Anthrax is a serious infection caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, and 28 farms in the Hautes-Alps region in the southeastern part of France have been affected since the outbreak was first detected two months ago. The first known case was identified on June 28 in the village of Montgardin, where it eventually killed six cows. Since then, 50 animals have died, but no cases in humans have yet emerged.