Weekly releases (1997–2007) - Volume 8, Issue 7, 12 February 2004

Key documents on the avian flu outbreak in poultry and humans in Southeast Asia were published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on 12 February 2004.

The European Parliament passed an opinion on 10 February to bring the new European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) into being

The United Kingdom (UK) Expert Advisory Group on AIDS (EAGA) has recently published revised guidelines on the use of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV following occupational exposure

Confirmed of suspected outbreaks of avian influenza (H5N1) remain widespread among poultry in China (14/31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities), Thailand (40/76 provinces), and Vietnam (28/64 provinces).

Antimicrobial resistance is increasing and has brought with it the possibility of untreatable infections and a return to the pre-antibiotic era.

A new project focusing on combating antimicrobial resistance (COBRA) started on 2 February 2004 led by the antibiotic molecular research laboratory at the Université de Paris.