Archive for March, 2008
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1, also known as A(H5N1) or simply H5N1, is a subtype of the Influenza A virus which can cause illness in humans and many other animal species.[1] A bird-adapted strain of H5N1, called HPAI A(H5N1) for “highly pathogenic avian influenza virus of type A of subtype H5N1″, is the causative agent of H5N1 flu, commonly known as “avian influenza” or “bird flu”. It is endemic in many bird populations, especially in Southeast Asia. One strain of HPAI A(H5N1) is spreading globally after first appearing in Asia. It is epizootic (an epidemic in nonhumans) and panzootic (affecting animals of many species, especially over a wide area), killing tens of millions of birds and spurring the culling of hundreds of millions of others to stem its spread. Most references to “bird flu” and H5N1 in the popular media refer to this strain.[2]
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The die-off of more than 6,000 migratory birds in Quinghai Lake in central China in April 2005 was unusual, and alarming. Virus samples from the birds in Quinghai Lake and other countries that acquired the avian flu were almost identical, and these countries were along the route of the migratory birds from China. Although it is yet to be scientifically confirmed, prevention and preparation should be made to ensure safety.
Governments have issued guidelines in reporting suspected bird flu infection, and the monitoring of transportation and entry of infected birds and equipment. If detected, there are guidelines on how to contain and control the contaminated area, which includes how to dispose of dead, infected birds and safety measures for the workers handling such tasks.
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Indonesia will not share bird flu virus samples unless there is a guarantee developing nations will have control over their use and have access to cheap vaccines, a health ministry spokeswoman said on Monday.
Indonesia has held back its virus samples since August and wants guarantees from richer nations and drug-makers that poor countries get access to affordable vaccines derived from their samples.
Health officials from around the world failed to reach an agreement on a new virus sharing system at talks hosted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Geneva last week.
Health Minister Siti Fadillah Supari insisted on “equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of viruses” at the meeting, but not everyone agreed.
Indonesia, the country hardest hit by avian flu with 91 human deaths, wants a “material transfer agreement” (MTA) for each virus sample sent to foreign labs, that specifies the sample is used only for diagnostic purposes and not for commercial gain.
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A new vaccine is being developed that may give protection against pathogenic bird flu, H5N1 and its mutations. Researchers at Purdue University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tested the new vaccine in mice, which gave a year-long protection against H5N1. Whether the same results will show in humans is yet to be proven.
The scientists are developing vaccines that can be stored in advance, can provide protection for a certain period until a matching vaccine can be developed for new variations of the bird flu. This vaccine is not produced by using eggs, which is the traditional method of producing flu vaccines. It uses an adjuvant so only lower doses are needed. The vaccine can also be stockpiled, making it available to more people.
More details of this exciting development, here.
In a series of European and global initiatives, genetic modification (GM) and RNA interference are being deployed for the improvement of farm animal health. A recent workshop organized by the European Science Foundation (ESF) highlighted various themes on livestock disease research, epidemics and pandemics and GM technologies and the negative perception of the public.
GM provides resistance to diseases which will benefit animal and human health. However, this technology was deployed too soon which benefited interested parties, excluding the consumers. Ethical issues have to be addressed, and public confidence has to be restored. Various GM technologies have been developed for livestock, and RNA interference focuses more on preventing animals from contracting viruses such as bird flu.