Life Science log

A virus expert on Sunday urged health authorities around the world to remain vigilant even though the recent swine flu pandemic was less deadly than forecasted, warning that bird flu could ignite the next global outbreak. An official with the World Health Organization (WHO) also defended the UN?s health agency against accusations that it wasted governments? money and enriched pharmaceutical companies with its strong warnings during the early days of last year?s swine flu outbreak. The swine flu pandemic was declared over by the WHO last month. The total death toll was just over 18,600 -- far below the millions that were once predicted. The head of the health agency has credited good preparation and luck, since swine flu didn?t mutate as some had worried about. Researcher Robert Webster, however, warned against complacency when speaking to reporters at an influenza conference in Hong Kong. ?We may think we can relax and influenza is no longer a problem. I want to assure you that that is not the case,? Webster,