LAS VEGAS -- O.J. Simpson is being isolated from other prisoners for his own safety, and is focusing on a motion for new trial and a strong bid for appellate reversal of his conviction for kidnapping and robbery, his lawyer said yesterday.

Attorney Yale Galanter told The Associated Press he will continue to pursue a request for Mr. Simpson to be released on bond pending appeal.

Meanwhile, Mr. Galanter said Mr. Simpson will be living a lonely life, advised by his lawyers to do no media interviews and allowed to see only family members and a few friends placed on a special list at the jail.

Mr. Simpson will be held in Clark County Detention Center until his Dec. 5 sentencing, then is expected to be transferred to state prison.

Because of the seriousness of the charges, it is likely that Mr. Simpson would remain in jail during his appeal.

Mr. Galanter said that this will make for a difficult incarceration for the gregarious Mr. Simpson, because "it limits his contacts with other humans."

The 61-year-old Hall of Fame football star was convicted of kidnapping, armed robbery and 10 other charges for gathering five men a year ago and storming a room at a hotel-casino to seize Simpson sports mementos -- including game balls, plaques and photos -- from two collectors. Prosecutors said two of the men with him were armed; one testified Mr. Simpson had asked him to bring a gun.

CHICAGO -- More children have died from flu because they also had staph infections, according to a new government report that urges parents to have their kids get the flu shot.

The number of deaths wasn't high -- 73 during the 2006-07 flu season -- but there was more than a fivefold increase in hard-to-treat complications. Public health officials say the numbers underscore the importance of a brand new recommendation that all children, from 6 months through 18 years, get routine flu shots. Before this year, shots were recommended for kids under 5 years.

The study, appearing in the October edition of Pediatrics for release today, is based on an analysis of reported flu deaths from the 2004-05 through 2006-07 seasons. Flu deaths in children during those seasons totaled 47, 46 and 73, respectively.

The percentage of those who also had bacterial infections jumped from 6 percent to almost 36 percent. Most had staph infections, and 60 percent of those involved the dangerous MRSA bug, which is resistant to antibiotics.

CHICAGO -- Warning: young children should not keep hedgehogs as pets -- or hamsters, baby chicks, lizards and turtles, for that matter -- because of risks for disease.

That's according to the nation's leading pediatricians' group in a new report about dangers from exotic animals.

Besides evidence that they can carry dangerous and sometimes potentially deadly germs, exotic pets may be more prone than cats and dogs to bite, scratch or claw -- putting children younger than 5 particularly at risk, the report says.

Young children are vulnerable because of developing immune systems plus they often put their hands in their mouths.

That means families with children younger than 5 should avoid owning "nontraditional" pets. Also, kids that young should avoid contact with these animals in petting zoos or other public places, according to the report from the American Academy of Pediatrics. The report appears in the October edition of the group's medical journal, Pediatrics.

NEW ORLEANS -- Indicted U.S. Rep. William Jefferson had a quarter of voters on his side as he overcame scandal to come in first in Louisiana's Democratic primary.

Now, as he faces a runoff against a former television journalist, Mr. Jefferson also has demographics and history on his side.

Mr. Jefferson, Louisiana's first black congressman since Reconstruction, has won the New Orleans-based 2nd Congressional District seat nine times.

He finished atop a field of seven in Saturday's party primary, and 62 percent of the registered voters in the 2nd District are black. Mr. Jefferson's runoff opponent, political newcomer and former television reporter Helena Moreno, was the only white candidate in the race.