Horse Flu Hits Apec Summit Police

An outbreak in Australia of the equine influenza virus has spread to police horses in the state of New South Wales. Eight horses showed symptoms of the virus and all 36 animals have now been placed in quarantine. The move means that Mounted Police Officers will be unable to help provide security for next week's summit of Asia-Pacific leaders in Sidney. Deputy Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said that security at the summit would not be affected.

Deadly Virus Linked to Fruit Bat

US and Gabonese scientists say a common type of fruit bat could be the source of an outbreak of the deadly Marburg disease in Africa. The scientists tested more than 1,000 bats caught in caves in Gabon and DR Congo, and found some members of one species were infected with the virus. Outbreaks of the Marburg disease have hit sub-Saharan Africa in the past. Marburg is a contageous disease characterized by sudden bleeding and high fever, often ending in death.