New research suggests that the H5N1 avian flu virus, which has killed 236 people since 2003 and been reported in 14 countries, may have originated in southern China. From Rueters:
A genetic analysis of the virus shows that strains that showed up in Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia in 2002 and 2003 closely resemble a strain from poultry markets in China’s Yunnan Province, the flu experts found.
Chinese officials deny the report.