There are mounting concerns over the future potential for H5N1 influenza to cause a pandemic. Those concerns coupled with worries over terrorists launching an attack using that virus or other biological agents have caused the government to fund some research at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Madison.

The National Institute's of Health's Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) announced Thursday it has awarded the Medical College a five-year, $8.1 million grant to develop a rapid, miniaturized, automated diagnostic device to test for the presence of avian flu and most potential bioterrorism agents

The U.S. heatwave could push the number of West Nile virus cases to an all time high in three years, according to health experts. The virus replicates faster at higher temperatures, and hastens mosquito breeding.

"That's the general trend," said Dr. Lyle Petersen of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Health officials have confirmed the second casualty from the West Nile virus in California. An elderly Contra Costa County woman died due to the mosquito-born disease.

Two other cases involving a recuperating middle-aged woman and an unconfirmed elderly man were also reported in the county according to said Susan Farley, a Contra Costa communicable diseases specialist

The West Nile virus (WNV) has claimed its first victim in California this year.

California, State Public Health Officer Dr. Mark Horton says an elderly woman in her 80's was killed in Butte County from complications from the virus

A recent study published in the latest issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases published Wednesday suggests that if a person is infected by the West Nile Virus he continues to have ongoing health problems like fatigue, memory loss, headaches, depression and tremors.

The person gets infected by the West Nile virus when he is bitten by a mosquito that has previously bitten an infected bird. The study also reports that the intensity of infection does not determine the after effects of the disease. The patient is likely to suffer health problems even if he is diagnosed with a mild infection. West Nile virus-related illnesses include encephalitis or meningitis