The Latest on the Bird Flu Threat
With all of the changes going on in the world of medicine, it is hard to stay on top of all of the latest developments. Here are some of the important statistics and information as of October 2006. As of October 31st, 2006, there have been 256 total confirmed cases reported to the World Health Organization since 2003. Of those cases, 152 were fatal. The countries that have had confirmed cases of the bird flu include: Azerbaijan, Cambodia, China, Djibouti, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam. Vietnam has been the hardest hit, with 93 cases and 42 deaths, however none of these were in 2006. Indonesia had the highest instance of outbreak for 2006, including 53 cases with 43 deaths. In September of 2006, the WHO held a convention among 22 laboratory directors and senior scientists who were currently working on research regarding different strains of the bird flu and the possibilities of a future pandemic. While all strains were considered for the discussions, there was specific emphasis on the H5N1 strain the one currently responsible for human deaths. The discussion focused on the following: methods of detection and diagnosis for human infections; different antiviral drugs and vaccines to protect humans; findings from countries with recent outbreaks in regards to animal surveillance; and information on the virulence of H5N1 viruses. These topics covered issues involving the severity of the disease, role of migratory birds, and genetic factors that influence humans contracting it. It also covered diagnostic limitations, vaccination policies, and the several distinct genetic groups of H5N1 viruses in different parts of the world. Several recommendations were made. They included: developing a reliable diagnostic test for use with human patients; publishing recommended tests as well as possible faults on the WHO website; come up with ways to evaluate the effectiveness of potential pandemic vaccines; monitor the current H5N1 virus strains to look for patterns of resistance to antiviral drugs; look into why younger people are more susceptible to infection; look for genetic predisposition of individuals in contracting the disease; introduction of poultry vaccinations in area where culling is impracticable; standardize poultry vaccines; as well as other topics. The current detection and diagnosis of human H5N1 infections was discussed. Serological methods were discussed for confirmation, particularly in cases where inadequate samples were available. Seroprevalence studies were discussed briefly, but were only of significance in actual poultry workers and not the general population. RT-PCR tests use gene fragments and are highly sensitive, but the risk of cross-contamination is high as well, and many quality controls have to be run in order to assess the accuracy. Because of these factors, and the genetic diversity among the different H5N1 viruses, scientists are finding it very difficult to create a quick and easy test to use in the field. The status of vaccine development was discussed at the conference. Results have been mixed as to whether or not different vaccines will offer any protection against the virus should a pandemic situation occur. Trials of the vaccines are in process in Europe, the U.S., and Japan. Along similar lines, resistance to antiviral drugs was also looked at. Clinical trials of new antiviral drugs are currently underway, searching for a new defense against the infection. Surveillance of birds and other animals has also increased, to monitor the spread of the bird flu. Ornithologists have proved useful in keeping track of the endless information from migratory birds, as well as the different responses to the virus being seen in different species. These findings can assist with testing and prevention strategies against the virus. Going to the World Health Organizations website and other Internet sources can help keep you on top of any new information coming out regarding the bird flu and other diseases.
Latest News About Bird Flu:
Avian Influenza On People's Minds
Researchers at the Food Policy Institute at the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station have conducted a nationwide survey of public knowledge, attitudes, intentions and behaviors related to the threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza. The researchers conducted a total of 1200 telephone interviews on the topic between May 3 and June 5, 2006.The results suggest that avian influenza is on the national agenda. [click link for full article] Public Health Emergencies Require Urgent Advice From The WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed a new mechanism, described in this week's PLoS Medicine, for issuing urgent guidelines to health professionals in a public health emergency such as an infectious disease outbreak. The first rapidly issued guideline was developed by the WHO in order to advise countries that were dealing with avian influenza A (H5N1) infection. [click link for full article] Mice Protected From Avian Flu By Human Antibodies
An international team of scientists, including researchers from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, report using antibodies derived from immune cells from recent human survivors of H5N1 avian influenza to successfully treat H5N1-infected mice as well as protect them from an otherwise lethal dose of the virus. [click link for full article] Computer Model Maps Efficient Inoculation Of Hospital Staff In Pandemic Outbreak
Community preparedness for a bioterrorism attack or influenza outbreak has been the focus of much interest and effort in recent years. Now, public health experts at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center have developed a strategy for how hospitals can most efficiently inoculate their own staff with minimal disruption to patient care. [click link for full article] Antibodies From Deadly Avian Flu Survivors Could Give Immunity To Others
An international team of scientists has shown that specific antibodies taken from the blood of Vietnamese survivors of the deadly strain of H5N1 avian flu can be reproduced in the laboratory and used to neutralize the virus in a test tube and in mice, suggesting that it could also be a way to confer immunity to humans before and shortly after becoming infected.The findings are published in the open access journal PLoS Medicine. [click link for full article]
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