BMJ  2005;331:1356 (10 December), doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7529.1356

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In brief

Bird flu death confirmed: Indonesia's eighth death from H5N1 avian flu has been confirmed by a World Health Organization collaborating centre laboratory in Hong Kong. The 25 year old woman had been in contact with dead chickens and died in late November. This brings the death toll in the country to eight out of 13 confirmed cases.

Hajj pilgrims urged to get meningitis jab: Pilgrims heading to Mecca for the Hajj pilgrimage in January are being urged to get a meningitis jab. An estimated 50 000 people travel from England to Saudi Arabia to take part in the pilgrimage each year and risk contracting a particular strain of meningococcal disease, known as W135.

Changing doctors may be a sign of child abuse: Children under 4 whose parents change their GP more than once in a year are six times more likely to be abused or neglected (Pediatrics 2005;116: 1303-8[Abstract/Free Full Text]). Doctors should ask new patients why they are registering, the authors say.

HIV cases in France increasing: The number of new cases of HIV in France increased to 7000 in 2004, compared with 6000 in 2003, says a report from the French National Health Watch Institute. Two groups in particular were over-represented—homosexuals and heterosexual immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa. As a result, President Jacques Chirac asked for machines selling condoms for 20-euro cents to be installed in all Lycees.

Health products firm admits charges: The liquidators of Pan Pharmaceuticals, the collapsed complementary health products company, have pleaded guilty to 24 charges, including five of negligently causing grievous bodily harm. A total of 1546 products manufactured by Pan were recalled after an investigation by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration in 2003 (BMJ 2003;326: 1001[Free Full Text]).

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Food watchdog warns against high doses of vitamins and minerals

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BMJ 2003 326: 1001. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]