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Stocks Fall After Bird Flu Strain Detection link

By ELLEN SIMON AP Business Writer

NEW YORK Feb 7, 2006 (AP)— Stocks turned lower Tuesday after Hong Kong authorities said they suspected two birds that died in the area were infected with a deadly strain of the bird flu virus.

Nervous investors have been fearing news of a bird flu pandemic, which has potential to send affected economies grinding to a halt and stymie international trade. The news comes at a time when Wall Street is especially nervous about what it calls "the geopolitical situation," which includes Iran's nuclear program and unrest in oil-rich Nigeria.