INDEPTH: AVIAN FLU
Medical, science journals report on avian flu
CBC News Online, March 28, 2005
Medical and science journals are documenting research on H5N1 avian flu from multiple perspectives, including:
- How the virus acts in chickens, ducks, ferrets and other animal models, compared to in humans.
- Vaccine and drug approaches.
- Descriptions of outbreaks, including changing mortality rates and isolated cases of the virus spreading between people.
- Comparisons to the 1918 pandemic flu virus.
Editorial writers join health officials in calling for faster vaccine development and more antiviral production worldwide.
Sept. 29, 2005
Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Infection in Humans
The New England Journal of Medicine (Full text)
The Writing Committee of the World Health Organization (WHO) Consultation on Human Influenza A/H5
This summary describes human infections with H5N1 influenza, with a review of recommendations for preventing and managing the pandemic threat.
Aug. 3, 2005
Strategies for containing an emerging influenza pandemic in Southeast Asia
Nature
Neil Ferguson et al.
(Abstract of advance online publication)
Scientists simulate conditions for a pandemic of H5N1. They conclude an outbreak could be contained in a geographical area if drugs are stockpiled, doctors quickly recognize new cases, new cases are isolated and treated within two days, and travel restrictions and school closures are imposed.
Aug. 3, 2005
Containing Pandemic Influenza at the Source
Science
Longini, I. et al.
(Abstract of Science Express - registration required)
Computer model of outbreak among 50,000 in rural Southeast Asia suggests outbreak could be contained to one case per 1,000 if anti-virals and quarantine are used within two weeks of the first case.
July 19, 2005
Role of domestic ducks in the propagation and biological evolution of highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza viruses in Asia
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
D. J. Hulse-Post, R.G. Webster et al.
(Online early edition abstract)
Experiments track changes in how H5N1 virus acts in ducks.
July 6, 2005
Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Influenza Virus Infection in Migratory Birds
J. Liu et al.
Science
(Abstract of Science Express - registration required)
Discovery of at least 1,000 dead birds at wildlife refuge in western China suggests migrating wildfowl could carry the virus to other continents.
July 6, 2005
Avian flu: H5N1 virus outbreak in migratory waterfowl
H. Chen et al.
Nature (Abstract)
Describes human cases of disease caused by H5N1 in western China and the implications for control strategies.
June 3, 2005
Human infection by avian influenza A H5N1
Hong Kong Medical Journal
KY Yuen, SSY Wong
(Abstract)
Full text in .pdf format
Reviews why H5N1 infections in humans are likely to continue in Southeast Asia, describes why the virus may be so deadly, and suggests potential treatments.
Dec. 16, 2004
Transmissibility of 1918 pandemic influenza
Mills, C. et al.
Nature
(Abstract)
Researchers analysed historic mortality data from 45 cities in the United States to find out how transmissible the 1918 strain was. They conclude rapidly vaccinating people is the key to fighting a pandemic.
Feb. 5, 2004
The Structure and Receptor Binding Properties of the 1918 Influenza Hemagglutinin
S. J. Gamblin, J.J. Skehel et al.
Science
(Abstract of Science Express - registration required)
Genetic study of lung samples preserved from victims of the 1918 flu suggest it may take fewer genetic adaptations than thought for avian flu to gain the ability to spread between people.
Journal editorials
-
Annals of Internal Medicine, Sept. 20, 2005
Influenza A (H5N1): Will It Be the Next Pandemic Influenza? Are We Ready? (Full text)
John Bartlett and Frederick Hayden
Reviews status of pandemic preparations in the U.S., lists reasons for reassurance and why the possibility of a pandemic must not be ignored.
- Nature, May 26, 2005
(Links to full texts)
Five editorials by experts in various fields call for international effort to develop a new type of influenza vaccine in a shorter timeframe, offer a conservative estimate of the number of deaths from a global pandemic at 7.5 million, argue for better poultry vaccine and stockpiles, and describe what is expected during a pandemic.
- The New England Journal of Medicine, May 5, 2005
(Full text)
Preparing for the Next Pandemic
Dr. Michael Osterholm, director for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, estimates the predicted scale of a pandemic today compared to the 1918 scenario.
- Canadian Medical Association Journal, April 12, 2005
Avian influenzavirus: Are we prepared? (Full text)
This editorial notes three factors needed for a global epidemic – frequent contact between humans and infected birds, difficulty of early detection and poor surveillance – are all present in Southeast Asia. Canada has emphasized rapid development of a vaccine, but the only effective way to stop a global pandemic is in Southeast Asia.
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| PREVENTING THE FLU |
What you can do:
- Get a flu shot. There is no vaccine for avian flu but it may boost your overall immunity, health officials say.
- Wash your hands to wash away the flu virus
- Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough
- Stay home if you are sick.
- More on what you can do here
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| QUICK FACTS: |
Definition:
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Bird flu is an infection caused by avian influenza viruses. (Source: CDC)
Symptoms of flu/avian flu:
Fever, fatigue, cough, sore throat, eye infections, muscle aches.
Transmission:
Infected birds shed flu virus in their saliva, nasal secretions and feces. Avian flu may have passed to humans by contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces. In human-to-human cases, flu viruses spread in respiratory droplets caused by coughing and sneezing. (CDC)
Prevention:
Get a seasonal flu shot, wash your hands, cover your mouth when sneezing, stay home if you are sick, consult your doctor.
Avian flu vaccine:
It is under development but cannot be finalized until the pandemic version of the virus appears.
Cure: A healthy body's immune system can often combat the flu. Antiviral drugs may help. Antibacterials are ineffective because the flu is a virus.
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| VACCINE & ANTIVIRALS: |
DEFINITION
Vaccines and antivirals are different. A vaccine is designed to procure immunity from a disease.
An antiviral drug is commonly used to treat an existing illness. Antivirals can also be used in a preventive way, but they are not vaccines, and do not provide immunity.
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