Time Magazine this week cited the approval of a bird flu vaccine earlier this year as the top medical development in 2007.
Key testing of the vaccine, the first ever approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to prevent bird flu, was done by doctors and nurses at the University of Rochester Medical Center. More than 750 people in the Rochester area have taken part in studies of bird flu vaccines at the University.
Crucial testing of the vaccine was led by John Treanor, M.D., professor of Medicine and of Microbiology and Immunology. His team on the University's Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Unit, together with scientists around the nation, showed that large doses of the vaccine are safe and effective at protecting people against bird flu.
The vaccine, made by Sanofi Pasteur Inc., has been purchased by the federal government and is being stockpiled for distribution by public health officials if needed.
"We feel very honored to have been able to contribute to this important effort, and we are especially grateful to our volunteer study subjects, without whom none of this research would have been possible," said Treanor. "Because of the willing participation of Rochesterians, we have something we can really use to fight off a bird flu pandemic, if it ever occurs."
Discover Magazine also noted Treanor's research as part of its top medical developments of the year. That publication cited a study by his group earlier this year that showed the promise of a new type of flu vaccine, grown not in eggs but instead in insect cells. That step could save the nation crucial months in producing vast amounts of flu vaccine on short notice.
More than half of the 340 people worldwide who have been infected with the H5N1 type of bird flu have died, making the flu at least 20 times as deadly as the Spanish flu of 1918 that killed 50 million people. Thus far the number of deaths has been low because H5N1 hasn't acquired the ability to spread efficiently from person to person. If the virus does gain the ability to spread quickly among people, the vaccine would provide early protection until a vaccine tailored to the pandemic strain of the virus could be developed and produced.
Rochester is continuing its leading role to fight both bird flu and "regular" flu. Earlier this year, the University was awarded $26 million from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to establish the New York Influenza Center of Excellence. The center is part of a network recently established by NIAID to protect people against seasonal flu and future flu pandemics.
urmc.rochester
пятница, 3 июня 2011 г.
четверг, 2 июня 2011 г.
Questions and Answers on Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) - European Commission
Avian Influenza is a virulent and highly contagious viral disease which occurs in poultry and other birds. It was first
identified in Italy in the early 1900s. There are various strains of the avian influenza virus, with the high pathogenic
strains having almost 100% fatality rates. Wild birds are often carriers of the low pathogenic strains of the virus without
showing any symptoms, and contact of domestic flocks with wild migratory birds has been at the origin of many epidemics in
poultry. Avian influenza can occasionally spread to humans and other animals, usually following direct contact with infected
birds.
What has been the recent situation of avian influenza outbreaks?
In recent years the poultry industry worldwide has suffered serious damage due to avian flu epidemics. Since 2003, the
particularly virulent H5N1 strain of the disease has caused more than 125 million birds to die or be destroyed in South-East
Asia. Avian flu is still endemic in this region of the world and eradication is proving extremely difficult. Outbreaks of
avian flu also occurred in the USA, Canada and South Africa in 2004.
In the EU, recent major outbreaks of avian flu occurred in Italy (1999-2000) and the Netherlands, with incidences in Belgium
and Germany (2003). The outbreak in the Netherlands led to the destruction of around 30 million birds and direct economic
costs of more than Ђ150 million.
What threats does avian influenza pose to human health?
In most cases, avian influenza viruses do not infect humans. However, these viruses have the tendency to mutate and may
occasionally spread to other animals and to humans. In particular, there have been cases of humans becoming infected with
certain highly pathogenic subtypes of the avian flu virus due to direct contact with diseased birds. The 2003 outbreak of the
disease in the Netherlands resulted in 1 human death and numerous milder human infections. In South-East Asia, around 50
people have died from avian flu since the current outbreak began. A major concern now is that a possible mutation or genetic
change of the virus circulating in Asia could lead to the avian flu virus transforming into a new human strain of influenza
capable of human-to-human transmission. The European Commission and EU Member States are working continually on pandemic
influenza planning and response measures in case of such an eventuality.
Why is the Commission proposing new measures for avian influenza?
The proposed Directive on measures for the control of avian influenza aims to update EU measures based on lessons learned
from recent epidemics and new scientific knowledge on how the disease spreads and risks to human health. Current EU
legislation on avian influenza control is laid down in Council Directive 92/40/EEC. This Directive only establishes control
measures against the so-called "highly pathogenic" avian influenza viruses, those causing major disease outbreaks in poultry
and that may also occasionally infect humans. However, there is now evidence that these highly pathogenic viruses actually
originate from the so-called "low-pathogenic" avian influenza viruses as a result of virus mutation. In order to prevent
major avian influenza outbreaks, the new legislation would also establish compulsory surveillance and control measures
against the low pathogenic avian influenza viruses that can be transmitted to domestic poultry from wild birds such as ducks
and geese. The low pathogenic viruses cannot be eradicated from wild birds, but the infection of domestic poultry can be
effectively controlled and virus mutation into the highly pathogenic forms can be prevented. The aim of the new legislation
is to ensure that the most appropriate surveillance and prevention measures against avian flu are in place and that the
health risks, economic costs and the negative impact on society in the event of an outbreak are minimised. The previous
Directive will be repealed when the new Directive is adopted.
Why is surveillance necessary and how will be applied?
Early detection of low pathogenic viruses in domestic poultry is a key factor to prevent highly pathogenic form of disease.
In the last years avian influenza surveillance has already been implemented in all Member States, but the new legislation
will be in place will make this more systematic, eg Member States will have to implement national surveillance plans taking
into consideration risk factors such as the possibility of contact of domestic poultry with wild birds, risk factors
associated with different poultry species, the density of poultry farms, etc. Surveillance will also be carried out on wild
birds to ensure that new knowledge is gained on the risks posed by these birds. Based on the results obtained, the Commission
and the Member States will regularly revise the surveillance plans to increase their effectiveness.
Which measures will be applied to low pathogenic avian influenza?
To prevent the spread of the disease to other farms, Member States will have to ensure that the poultry are not moved from
the farms where low pathogenic avian influenza has been detected. Birds from the affected farms must be either killed and
destroyed ("stamping out") or slaughtered normally. The virus is rapidly inactivated by heat, which means that there is zero
risk to human health from cooked poultry meat. All available information suggests that even if eaten raw, the risk to human
health posed by the consumption of poultry meat from birds infected with low pathogenic strains is probably negligible.
However, under certain circumstances stamping-out may still be a necessary measure, as the movement of poultry from the farm
where they are kept to the slaughterhouse may cause the virus to spread from farm to farm.
How will the new measures be funded?
According to an impact assessment carried out when preparing the Directive, the additional cost of the new measures to the EU
budget have been estimated at Ђ3-8 million a year. This will be financed by the EU Veterinary Fund. However, projections
based on the frequency and cost of past outbreaks of Avian Influenza show that the additional cost to the EU budget should be
more than recuperated by savings related to reduced risks of future epidemics, which have in the past been very costly to
control (with the EU co-financing control measures). Moreover, some of the control measures envisaged in the new legislation,
such as vaccination, should diminish the size of any future avian influenza outbreaks, resulting in further savings.
Why is the EU now more keen on vaccination than before?
Recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the EU and elsewhere have shown us how devastating this disease can
be. All means to prevent future disasters have been carefully considered, including vaccination. The decision on whether or
not to use vaccination is still not easy, but there is increasing experience indicating that it can be a useful tool, for
example where domestic birds are exposed to the virus among wild birds. The use of vaccination will always be strictly
monitored and the EU rules will require that vaccinated birds can be differentiated from infected birds. This is very
important both for disease control and for trade purposes. The vaccination and monitoring system proposed in the new
Directive will be managed so that restrictions on trade in poultry and poultry products from the vaccinated areas can be
minimised. Eventual restrictions on trade will be decided on a case-by-case basis. In any case, restrictions will only be
applied to the specific regions using vaccination, or even compartments within those regions. All areas of the EU not using
vaccination will be able to continue to trade normally.
If Italy is a test case for the new vaccination approach, what does the current outbreak there say about the future policy
on vaccination?
In northern Italy, a new approach to vaccination (the so called DIVA strategy) has been tested over the past four years in an
area at high risk of disease due to frequent virus incursions from wild birds into poultry farms, one of which led to a major
epidemic in 1999/2000. The DIVA strategy is accompanied by very strict surveillance in the vaccination area, so that virus
introduction can be detected at an early stage and vaccinated birds can be differentiated from the infected ones.
Broadly speaking, the results obtained in Italy with the DIVA strategy were satisfactory and they were well accepted also at
the international level. Nevertheless, this strategy was not able to prevent the very recent low pathogenic avian influenza
outbreak which has occurred in Lombardy (April 2005). However, the strict surveillance led to the early detection of the
virus and the vaccination programme probably contributed to containing it. These are key elements to prevent the virus from
mutating into its highly pathogenic form.
The Commission proposal takes into account all experiences gained related to disease control and provides for a more flexible
approach to vaccination. However, it must be noted that there are still many constraints to vaccination and that this tool is
not a panacea to solve all problems.
What is the EU doing to help Asia tackle the current outbreak there?
The ongoing outbreak of highly pathogenic Avian Influenza in Asia has lead to the death or the killing and destruction of
over 125 million birds, economic losses estimated at Ђ8-12 billion and the death of around 50 people. Furthermore, there are
fears that this particular virus strain may eventually lead to a human flu pandemic.
The World Health Organisation (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Animal
Health Organisation (OIE) have called for decisive action by governments to help the countries affected to limit the scale of
the bird flu outbreak and so also reduce the risk for public health in Asia.
In coordination with the relevant international organisations, the European Commission has already provided some emergency
technical and financial support to the concerned countries, Vietnam in particular, to help to control the disease in poultry
and other birds and prevent as much as possible the spread of the virus to humans. However, the eradication of avian flu from
Asia cannot be considered a realistic short-term objective and adequate planning and co-ordination of future actions and
control measures is essential.
The FAO is currently finalising a regional master plan including a road map and time frame, within which framework the
concerned countries can than draft their own country plans. This FAO master plan and the country plans will be carefully
studied as soon as available, in view of possible support by the Commission.
How would our new legislation help prevent serious outbreaks such as the one currently seen in Asia?
Avian flu viruses circulate worldwide in migratory waterfowl, such as ducks and geese. However, at that stage the viruses are
not able to cause serious disease; they are defined as low pathogenic viruses. Only after the spread from wild birds to
domestic poultry and circulation in the poultry populations, the low pathogenic viruses may mutate into highly pathogenic
viruses, like the one that is causing major disease problems in parts of Asia and that is also affecting humans.
The new proposed legislation will require EU Member States to introduce and reinforce surveillance and control measures
against the low-pathogenic viruses, aiming in particular at preventing virus circulation in domestic poultry, so that virus
mutation and highly pathogenic forms of disease are prevented.
Which Asian countries are currently blocked for what exports?
The Commission has undertaken a number of actions to protect the EU from disease introduction from Asia. Imports of live
birds and risky poultry products such as fresh poultry meat and untreated feathers from the concerned countries have been
prohibited. However, this ban does not concern heat-treated poultry meat, as the heat-treatment (70 degrees) destroys the
avian influenza virus.
The disease situation in Asia is regularly reviewed at the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, where the
safeguard measures taken are updated as appropriate. At present, the import ban concerns Cambodia, China including Hong Kong,
Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, North Korea, Pakistan, Thailand and Vietnam.
More information:
Avian Influenza -
Introduction from the European Commission
europa.eu.int
identified in Italy in the early 1900s. There are various strains of the avian influenza virus, with the high pathogenic
strains having almost 100% fatality rates. Wild birds are often carriers of the low pathogenic strains of the virus without
showing any symptoms, and contact of domestic flocks with wild migratory birds has been at the origin of many epidemics in
poultry. Avian influenza can occasionally spread to humans and other animals, usually following direct contact with infected
birds.
What has been the recent situation of avian influenza outbreaks?
In recent years the poultry industry worldwide has suffered serious damage due to avian flu epidemics. Since 2003, the
particularly virulent H5N1 strain of the disease has caused more than 125 million birds to die or be destroyed in South-East
Asia. Avian flu is still endemic in this region of the world and eradication is proving extremely difficult. Outbreaks of
avian flu also occurred in the USA, Canada and South Africa in 2004.
In the EU, recent major outbreaks of avian flu occurred in Italy (1999-2000) and the Netherlands, with incidences in Belgium
and Germany (2003). The outbreak in the Netherlands led to the destruction of around 30 million birds and direct economic
costs of more than Ђ150 million.
What threats does avian influenza pose to human health?
In most cases, avian influenza viruses do not infect humans. However, these viruses have the tendency to mutate and may
occasionally spread to other animals and to humans. In particular, there have been cases of humans becoming infected with
certain highly pathogenic subtypes of the avian flu virus due to direct contact with diseased birds. The 2003 outbreak of the
disease in the Netherlands resulted in 1 human death and numerous milder human infections. In South-East Asia, around 50
people have died from avian flu since the current outbreak began. A major concern now is that a possible mutation or genetic
change of the virus circulating in Asia could lead to the avian flu virus transforming into a new human strain of influenza
capable of human-to-human transmission. The European Commission and EU Member States are working continually on pandemic
influenza planning and response measures in case of such an eventuality.
Why is the Commission proposing new measures for avian influenza?
The proposed Directive on measures for the control of avian influenza aims to update EU measures based on lessons learned
from recent epidemics and new scientific knowledge on how the disease spreads and risks to human health. Current EU
legislation on avian influenza control is laid down in Council Directive 92/40/EEC. This Directive only establishes control
measures against the so-called "highly pathogenic" avian influenza viruses, those causing major disease outbreaks in poultry
and that may also occasionally infect humans. However, there is now evidence that these highly pathogenic viruses actually
originate from the so-called "low-pathogenic" avian influenza viruses as a result of virus mutation. In order to prevent
major avian influenza outbreaks, the new legislation would also establish compulsory surveillance and control measures
against the low pathogenic avian influenza viruses that can be transmitted to domestic poultry from wild birds such as ducks
and geese. The low pathogenic viruses cannot be eradicated from wild birds, but the infection of domestic poultry can be
effectively controlled and virus mutation into the highly pathogenic forms can be prevented. The aim of the new legislation
is to ensure that the most appropriate surveillance and prevention measures against avian flu are in place and that the
health risks, economic costs and the negative impact on society in the event of an outbreak are minimised. The previous
Directive will be repealed when the new Directive is adopted.
Why is surveillance necessary and how will be applied?
Early detection of low pathogenic viruses in domestic poultry is a key factor to prevent highly pathogenic form of disease.
In the last years avian influenza surveillance has already been implemented in all Member States, but the new legislation
will be in place will make this more systematic, eg Member States will have to implement national surveillance plans taking
into consideration risk factors such as the possibility of contact of domestic poultry with wild birds, risk factors
associated with different poultry species, the density of poultry farms, etc. Surveillance will also be carried out on wild
birds to ensure that new knowledge is gained on the risks posed by these birds. Based on the results obtained, the Commission
and the Member States will regularly revise the surveillance plans to increase their effectiveness.
Which measures will be applied to low pathogenic avian influenza?
To prevent the spread of the disease to other farms, Member States will have to ensure that the poultry are not moved from
the farms where low pathogenic avian influenza has been detected. Birds from the affected farms must be either killed and
destroyed ("stamping out") or slaughtered normally. The virus is rapidly inactivated by heat, which means that there is zero
risk to human health from cooked poultry meat. All available information suggests that even if eaten raw, the risk to human
health posed by the consumption of poultry meat from birds infected with low pathogenic strains is probably negligible.
However, under certain circumstances stamping-out may still be a necessary measure, as the movement of poultry from the farm
where they are kept to the slaughterhouse may cause the virus to spread from farm to farm.
How will the new measures be funded?
According to an impact assessment carried out when preparing the Directive, the additional cost of the new measures to the EU
budget have been estimated at Ђ3-8 million a year. This will be financed by the EU Veterinary Fund. However, projections
based on the frequency and cost of past outbreaks of Avian Influenza show that the additional cost to the EU budget should be
more than recuperated by savings related to reduced risks of future epidemics, which have in the past been very costly to
control (with the EU co-financing control measures). Moreover, some of the control measures envisaged in the new legislation,
such as vaccination, should diminish the size of any future avian influenza outbreaks, resulting in further savings.
Why is the EU now more keen on vaccination than before?
Recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the EU and elsewhere have shown us how devastating this disease can
be. All means to prevent future disasters have been carefully considered, including vaccination. The decision on whether or
not to use vaccination is still not easy, but there is increasing experience indicating that it can be a useful tool, for
example where domestic birds are exposed to the virus among wild birds. The use of vaccination will always be strictly
monitored and the EU rules will require that vaccinated birds can be differentiated from infected birds. This is very
important both for disease control and for trade purposes. The vaccination and monitoring system proposed in the new
Directive will be managed so that restrictions on trade in poultry and poultry products from the vaccinated areas can be
minimised. Eventual restrictions on trade will be decided on a case-by-case basis. In any case, restrictions will only be
applied to the specific regions using vaccination, or even compartments within those regions. All areas of the EU not using
vaccination will be able to continue to trade normally.
If Italy is a test case for the new vaccination approach, what does the current outbreak there say about the future policy
on vaccination?
In northern Italy, a new approach to vaccination (the so called DIVA strategy) has been tested over the past four years in an
area at high risk of disease due to frequent virus incursions from wild birds into poultry farms, one of which led to a major
epidemic in 1999/2000. The DIVA strategy is accompanied by very strict surveillance in the vaccination area, so that virus
introduction can be detected at an early stage and vaccinated birds can be differentiated from the infected ones.
Broadly speaking, the results obtained in Italy with the DIVA strategy were satisfactory and they were well accepted also at
the international level. Nevertheless, this strategy was not able to prevent the very recent low pathogenic avian influenza
outbreak which has occurred in Lombardy (April 2005). However, the strict surveillance led to the early detection of the
virus and the vaccination programme probably contributed to containing it. These are key elements to prevent the virus from
mutating into its highly pathogenic form.
The Commission proposal takes into account all experiences gained related to disease control and provides for a more flexible
approach to vaccination. However, it must be noted that there are still many constraints to vaccination and that this tool is
not a panacea to solve all problems.
What is the EU doing to help Asia tackle the current outbreak there?
The ongoing outbreak of highly pathogenic Avian Influenza in Asia has lead to the death or the killing and destruction of
over 125 million birds, economic losses estimated at Ђ8-12 billion and the death of around 50 people. Furthermore, there are
fears that this particular virus strain may eventually lead to a human flu pandemic.
The World Health Organisation (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Animal
Health Organisation (OIE) have called for decisive action by governments to help the countries affected to limit the scale of
the bird flu outbreak and so also reduce the risk for public health in Asia.
In coordination with the relevant international organisations, the European Commission has already provided some emergency
technical and financial support to the concerned countries, Vietnam in particular, to help to control the disease in poultry
and other birds and prevent as much as possible the spread of the virus to humans. However, the eradication of avian flu from
Asia cannot be considered a realistic short-term objective and adequate planning and co-ordination of future actions and
control measures is essential.
The FAO is currently finalising a regional master plan including a road map and time frame, within which framework the
concerned countries can than draft their own country plans. This FAO master plan and the country plans will be carefully
studied as soon as available, in view of possible support by the Commission.
How would our new legislation help prevent serious outbreaks such as the one currently seen in Asia?
Avian flu viruses circulate worldwide in migratory waterfowl, such as ducks and geese. However, at that stage the viruses are
not able to cause serious disease; they are defined as low pathogenic viruses. Only after the spread from wild birds to
domestic poultry and circulation in the poultry populations, the low pathogenic viruses may mutate into highly pathogenic
viruses, like the one that is causing major disease problems in parts of Asia and that is also affecting humans.
The new proposed legislation will require EU Member States to introduce and reinforce surveillance and control measures
against the low-pathogenic viruses, aiming in particular at preventing virus circulation in domestic poultry, so that virus
mutation and highly pathogenic forms of disease are prevented.
Which Asian countries are currently blocked for what exports?
The Commission has undertaken a number of actions to protect the EU from disease introduction from Asia. Imports of live
birds and risky poultry products such as fresh poultry meat and untreated feathers from the concerned countries have been
prohibited. However, this ban does not concern heat-treated poultry meat, as the heat-treatment (70 degrees) destroys the
avian influenza virus.
The disease situation in Asia is regularly reviewed at the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, where the
safeguard measures taken are updated as appropriate. At present, the import ban concerns Cambodia, China including Hong Kong,
Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, North Korea, Pakistan, Thailand and Vietnam.
More information:
Avian Influenza -
Introduction from the European Commission
europa.eu.int
среда, 1 июня 2011 г.
WHO Expert To Edit First International Influenza Title As Pandemic Fears Grow
One of the world's leading flu experts, Alan Hampson, a member of the World Health Organization (WHO) Pandemic Influenza Taskforce and advisor to the Australian Government, is to edit the first international journal dedicated to the subject.
He has been appointed Editor of Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses, which is being launched by Blackwell Publishing amid growing international concerns about the possibility of an influenza pandemic.
"Alan Hampson is an ideal choice, as he is a WHO Expert Advisor on influenza and was, until recently, Deputy Director and operational head of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza in Melbourne, Australia" says Renй Olivieri, CEO of Blackwell Publishing.
"He is also an influenza advisor to the Australian Government, a Member of the Australian National Influenza Pandemic Action Committee and Convenor of the Australian Influenza Specialist Group."
The development of influenza vaccines, how viruses are evolving and the scale of the global problem will be just three of the subject areas tackled by the first issue when it debuts in October 2006.
Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses will also cover a range of other respiratory viruses, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (commonly known as SARS), Respiratory Syncytial Virus and parainfluenza viruses.
The journal is being published on behalf of the UK-based International Society for Influenza and other Respiratory Diseases (ISIRV), which was established in September 2005.
"There is considerable concern among experts working in the fields of influenza and respiratory medicine that there is an urgent need for international collaboration on research and development" says Alan Hampson.
"The development of avian flu and conditions like SARS have given added impetus to the very real concern about the potential risk of an influenza pandemic.
"Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses will provide an international platform for information and discussion among experts who will help to shape international responses to any outbreak."
The prestigious editorial line-up will also include Dr Geoffrey Schild, Chair of ISIRV, who has been appointed Deputy Editor.
Dr Schild is a former Director of the UK National Institute for Biological Standards and Control and a WHO consultant. He was also Chair of the European Commission Biological Working Party in Brussels for seven years and Director of the Medical Research Council World Influenza Centre for ten.
"ISIRV is delighted to be working with Blackwell Publishing to launch this journal, which will have a major contribution to play in bringing together international knowledge and expertise in these vital fields.
"The threat of a global pandemic cannot be underestimated and, while we do not wish to cause undue alarm, we must make sure that we are as well prepared as possible for any eventuality.
"That is why we formed the ISIRV last year and why we are so delighted to play a key role in this new journal."
Influenza and Other Respiratory Diseases will be published six times a year on behalf of the UK-based International Society for Influenza and other Respiratory Diseases by Blackwell Publishing Ltd. Edited by influenza expert Alan Hampson, it is aimed at microbiologists, scientists and consultants working in infectious disease (including vaccine development), epidemiologists, public health advisers and those working in the fields of zoonoses and animal disease.
Annette Whibley
wordwizardclara
Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
blackwellpublishing
He has been appointed Editor of Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses, which is being launched by Blackwell Publishing amid growing international concerns about the possibility of an influenza pandemic.
"Alan Hampson is an ideal choice, as he is a WHO Expert Advisor on influenza and was, until recently, Deputy Director and operational head of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza in Melbourne, Australia" says Renй Olivieri, CEO of Blackwell Publishing.
"He is also an influenza advisor to the Australian Government, a Member of the Australian National Influenza Pandemic Action Committee and Convenor of the Australian Influenza Specialist Group."
The development of influenza vaccines, how viruses are evolving and the scale of the global problem will be just three of the subject areas tackled by the first issue when it debuts in October 2006.
Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses will also cover a range of other respiratory viruses, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (commonly known as SARS), Respiratory Syncytial Virus and parainfluenza viruses.
The journal is being published on behalf of the UK-based International Society for Influenza and other Respiratory Diseases (ISIRV), which was established in September 2005.
"There is considerable concern among experts working in the fields of influenza and respiratory medicine that there is an urgent need for international collaboration on research and development" says Alan Hampson.
"The development of avian flu and conditions like SARS have given added impetus to the very real concern about the potential risk of an influenza pandemic.
"Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses will provide an international platform for information and discussion among experts who will help to shape international responses to any outbreak."
The prestigious editorial line-up will also include Dr Geoffrey Schild, Chair of ISIRV, who has been appointed Deputy Editor.
Dr Schild is a former Director of the UK National Institute for Biological Standards and Control and a WHO consultant. He was also Chair of the European Commission Biological Working Party in Brussels for seven years and Director of the Medical Research Council World Influenza Centre for ten.
"ISIRV is delighted to be working with Blackwell Publishing to launch this journal, which will have a major contribution to play in bringing together international knowledge and expertise in these vital fields.
"The threat of a global pandemic cannot be underestimated and, while we do not wish to cause undue alarm, we must make sure that we are as well prepared as possible for any eventuality.
"That is why we formed the ISIRV last year and why we are so delighted to play a key role in this new journal."
Influenza and Other Respiratory Diseases will be published six times a year on behalf of the UK-based International Society for Influenza and other Respiratory Diseases by Blackwell Publishing Ltd. Edited by influenza expert Alan Hampson, it is aimed at microbiologists, scientists and consultants working in infectious disease (including vaccine development), epidemiologists, public health advisers and those working in the fields of zoonoses and animal disease.
Annette Whibley
wordwizardclara
Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
blackwellpublishing
вторник, 31 мая 2011 г.
Avian Influenza - Defra Consults With Ornithological And Meteorological Experts And Key Industry Stakeholders, UK
Following the report by the French Authorities that a dead wild duck in Lyon, France may have died from the highly pathogenic H5N1 AI virus Defra has consulted with ornithological and meteorological experts and with key industry stakeholders. We have concluded that this is a new development which increases the likelihood that H5N1 may be found in the UK. However, we believe that the existing precautionary measures that we have in place remain sufficient and appropriate for the time being.
Fred Landeg, the Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer, said:
"We understand that the French authorities have not yet identified the specific strain but they are reporting that it is highly pathogenic and bears close similarities to H5N1 Asian strain.
"The expert ornithologists have advised that ducks from the Lyon region do not normally fly to the UK at this time of the year. Yet we know that the pochard duck uses the East Atlantic flyway, which is the same migratory path under which the UK lies.
"We have existing robust surveillance measures in place and have taken over 3500 samples from wild birds, which so far have not detected H5N1 in the UK. Nor has AI been found in domestic poultry in the European Union. Surveillance will continue at a high level and the general public can play its part here by reporting to the Defra helpline on 08459 335577 any unusual wild bird deaths. We will continue to monitor the developing situation carefully."
Extensive guidance to bird keepers on how to maximise biosecurity is already available. We urge all poultry keepers to follow this advice.
More information on Defra's response to avian influenza..
defra.uk
Fred Landeg, the Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer, said:
"We understand that the French authorities have not yet identified the specific strain but they are reporting that it is highly pathogenic and bears close similarities to H5N1 Asian strain.
"The expert ornithologists have advised that ducks from the Lyon region do not normally fly to the UK at this time of the year. Yet we know that the pochard duck uses the East Atlantic flyway, which is the same migratory path under which the UK lies.
"We have existing robust surveillance measures in place and have taken over 3500 samples from wild birds, which so far have not detected H5N1 in the UK. Nor has AI been found in domestic poultry in the European Union. Surveillance will continue at a high level and the general public can play its part here by reporting to the Defra helpline on 08459 335577 any unusual wild bird deaths. We will continue to monitor the developing situation carefully."
Extensive guidance to bird keepers on how to maximise biosecurity is already available. We urge all poultry keepers to follow this advice.
More information on Defra's response to avian influenza..
defra.uk
понедельник, 30 мая 2011 г.
5 Spanish Hospitals In International Phase III Trial With H5N1 Influenza Pandemic Vaccine
Both governments and the scientific community are mobilised to face the threat of a possible pandemic provoked by avian influenza. Whereas there is no need to alarm the population, we must design tools in order to fight influenza in case it develops. According to historical data and to the high genetic variability of influenza virus, the development of this pandemic is only a matter of time and that the appropriate circumstances are given. The H5N1 virus, which affects the European fowl, has already evidenced that it could successfully break the human barrier. This is the reason why H5N1 is the best candidate to establish the bases of the development of pandemic vaccines. Five large national hospitals will participate in the first study with a H5N1 influenza pandemic vaccine held in Spain. Our specialists are working in an international study, with the participation of 7 countries, in order to assess the possible side effects and immunogenicity of this vaccine, developed by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), in individuals over 18 years.
A total of 5,052 individuals will participate in this study, 1,500 of which will be recruited in Spain. The five Spanish centres are Hospital 12 de Octubre, Hospital ClГnico San Carlos and Hospital de La Princesa in Madrid, and the centres Hospital Vall d'HebrГіn and Hospital ClГnic in Barcelona. People participating in the study will be randomly separated into two groups: 75% will receive two doses of influenza vaccine, and 25% will receive a dose of conventional influenza vaccine and a dose of placebo. The second dose will be administrated after 21 days after the first medical examination, and during the study, two more examinations will have place (days 43 and 180) and a telephone check (day 51). In 10% of volunteers, blood tests will be made in order to analyse the immune response triggered by the vaccine. Furthermore, participants will fill in a monitoring card during the week after the administration of each dose, where the potential side effects that could appear, such as pain in the injection area or fever, frequent after any type of vaccination, will be noted. This study has been approved by the Ethics Committees of Clinical Research of the five hospitals and also by the Spanish Agency of Drugs and Health Products.
This vaccine is fractionated, since it only contains parts of the viral proteins which activate our immune system. Since no complete virus is administrated, it is impossible that this vaccine could cause influenza. The vaccine includes an adjuvant, similar to that used by GSK in the malaria vaccine that Hospital ClГnic is testing in Mozambique, which enhances the immunogenic effects of the vaccine. The stimulation of the immune system caused by this adjuvant, has already proved successful as a part of a vaccine against conventional influenza, and permits to reduce the antigen concentration administered in each vaccination. In the hypothesis of a pandemic, we must take into account that it would be necessary to vaccinate a large amount of population, and the rhythm of production of vaccines is limited. The efforts are focused in the development of strategies for vaccine production. Last, this vaccine has been produced following the recommendations of the WHO, so that the H5N1 virus has been recombined with the H1N1 Puerto Rico strain of 1934. This strain is highly stable and promotes the development of vaccines in chicken embryo.
The nomenclature of the several influenza virus identifies the variant they contain of the two more important genes involved in the infection. The Haemaglutinin (H) gene is related with the infectiousness and the virulence of the virus, whereas the Neuraminidase (N) gene determines the ability of progression of the infection. Genetic material of the virus is highly variable and it is found as fractionated single-strained RNA. Small changes in the H and N genes create viruses which cause the frequent annual influenza epidemic. When a large change is produced or a new version of the gene appears, an antigenic change is capable of triggering a worldwide epidemic, called pandemic. Influenza virus with a pandemic potential could appear by direct transfer of an animal virus to humans, -as happened in the "Spanish Influenza" that in 1918 caused death to 5% of the world population- or by a genetic reassortment between human and animal viruses. Such genetic reassortment would have place in a host co-infected by two different viruses.
The probability that a pandemic human virus is generated is now low, but the risk exists, and it is increased when cases of animal flu are found in humas, such in the case of H5N1. The hundred of death cases documented until now can give an idea of the potential danger we are facing. Furthermore, there are two circumstances that worsen this situation: this virus can mutate rapidly, and the fowl surviving the infection excrete the virus intensely through respiratory secretions and faeces during at least 10 days. Because of all this, it is important to make a both scientific and economic effort in order to obtain the best weapons to combat a possible definitive adaptation to humans of the H5N1 virus. In any case, this effort led by Spain, Germany, Holland, Sweden, Russia, France and Estonia will permit to improve the available tools in order to face this or future pandemics.
Contact: Alex Argemi
IDIBAPS - Institut d'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi i Sunyer
A total of 5,052 individuals will participate in this study, 1,500 of which will be recruited in Spain. The five Spanish centres are Hospital 12 de Octubre, Hospital ClГnico San Carlos and Hospital de La Princesa in Madrid, and the centres Hospital Vall d'HebrГіn and Hospital ClГnic in Barcelona. People participating in the study will be randomly separated into two groups: 75% will receive two doses of influenza vaccine, and 25% will receive a dose of conventional influenza vaccine and a dose of placebo. The second dose will be administrated after 21 days after the first medical examination, and during the study, two more examinations will have place (days 43 and 180) and a telephone check (day 51). In 10% of volunteers, blood tests will be made in order to analyse the immune response triggered by the vaccine. Furthermore, participants will fill in a monitoring card during the week after the administration of each dose, where the potential side effects that could appear, such as pain in the injection area or fever, frequent after any type of vaccination, will be noted. This study has been approved by the Ethics Committees of Clinical Research of the five hospitals and also by the Spanish Agency of Drugs and Health Products.
This vaccine is fractionated, since it only contains parts of the viral proteins which activate our immune system. Since no complete virus is administrated, it is impossible that this vaccine could cause influenza. The vaccine includes an adjuvant, similar to that used by GSK in the malaria vaccine that Hospital ClГnic is testing in Mozambique, which enhances the immunogenic effects of the vaccine. The stimulation of the immune system caused by this adjuvant, has already proved successful as a part of a vaccine against conventional influenza, and permits to reduce the antigen concentration administered in each vaccination. In the hypothesis of a pandemic, we must take into account that it would be necessary to vaccinate a large amount of population, and the rhythm of production of vaccines is limited. The efforts are focused in the development of strategies for vaccine production. Last, this vaccine has been produced following the recommendations of the WHO, so that the H5N1 virus has been recombined with the H1N1 Puerto Rico strain of 1934. This strain is highly stable and promotes the development of vaccines in chicken embryo.
The nomenclature of the several influenza virus identifies the variant they contain of the two more important genes involved in the infection. The Haemaglutinin (H) gene is related with the infectiousness and the virulence of the virus, whereas the Neuraminidase (N) gene determines the ability of progression of the infection. Genetic material of the virus is highly variable and it is found as fractionated single-strained RNA. Small changes in the H and N genes create viruses which cause the frequent annual influenza epidemic. When a large change is produced or a new version of the gene appears, an antigenic change is capable of triggering a worldwide epidemic, called pandemic. Influenza virus with a pandemic potential could appear by direct transfer of an animal virus to humans, -as happened in the "Spanish Influenza" that in 1918 caused death to 5% of the world population- or by a genetic reassortment between human and animal viruses. Such genetic reassortment would have place in a host co-infected by two different viruses.
The probability that a pandemic human virus is generated is now low, but the risk exists, and it is increased when cases of animal flu are found in humas, such in the case of H5N1. The hundred of death cases documented until now can give an idea of the potential danger we are facing. Furthermore, there are two circumstances that worsen this situation: this virus can mutate rapidly, and the fowl surviving the infection excrete the virus intensely through respiratory secretions and faeces during at least 10 days. Because of all this, it is important to make a both scientific and economic effort in order to obtain the best weapons to combat a possible definitive adaptation to humans of the H5N1 virus. In any case, this effort led by Spain, Germany, Holland, Sweden, Russia, France and Estonia will permit to improve the available tools in order to face this or future pandemics.
Contact: Alex Argemi
IDIBAPS - Institut d'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi i Sunyer
воскресенье, 29 мая 2011 г.
H5N1 Bird Flu Detected In The Cameroons
H5N1 Bird flu strain was detected in a duck in the Cameroons, making it now the fourth country in Africa to have bird flu within its borders. So far, Nigeria, Niger, Egypt and the Cameroons have bird flu reports.
Samples from a farm in Maroua, Cameroons, were sent to a laboratory in Paris, where H5N1 was confirmed.
The Cameroons' border with Nigeria is 1,800 kilometres long.
So far, no human cases of bird flu have been reported in Africa. According to reports, the virus is starting to establish itself in Africa.
With the coming of spring, Europeans watch with apprehension as birds will start migrating from Africa northwards. There is a good chance these birds will bring the H5N1 strain with them.
A possible route for infection to reach north America is also from Africa. Some birds will migrate all the way to the Arctic and then move south into the American continent in the Autumn (Fall).
Written by:
Samples from a farm in Maroua, Cameroons, were sent to a laboratory in Paris, where H5N1 was confirmed.
The Cameroons' border with Nigeria is 1,800 kilometres long.
So far, no human cases of bird flu have been reported in Africa. According to reports, the virus is starting to establish itself in Africa.
With the coming of spring, Europeans watch with apprehension as birds will start migrating from Africa northwards. There is a good chance these birds will bring the H5N1 strain with them.
A possible route for infection to reach north America is also from Africa. Some birds will migrate all the way to the Arctic and then move south into the American continent in the Autumn (Fall).
Written by:
суббота, 28 мая 2011 г.
Record-level US Support For Bird Flu Program - Indonesia, Viet Nam And Egypt Among Major Beneficiary Countries
The United States will provide an additional $44.4 million in support of FAO's avian influenza control and prevention campaign, FAO announced today.
With the new funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), US support to the FAO avian influenza program has reached a total of $112.8 million. The United States remains the largest donor to FAO's bird flu control activities implemented in more than 96 countries.
The funds are mainly earmarked for avian influenza control in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, South Asia, West and Central Africa and Viet Nam, as well as global efforts. Indonesia, Viet Nam and Egypt will be the top beneficiaries.
"Although many countries have successfully managed to get avian influenza under control, the virus remains present in ten countries and is mainly entrenched in countries like Egypt, Indonesia and Viet Nam. The additional US funds will enable FAO to continue its work in support of countries that are still struggling to get the virus under control," said FAO's Chief Veterinary Officer Joseph Domenech.
"The strong partnership with FAO is an integral component of our international efforts to contain and control Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza at its animal source," said Ambassador Gaddi Vasquez of the US Mission to FAO.
The main donors to FAO's avian influenza program, which currently amounts to around $282.7 million, are: the United States, Sweden, Australia, Japan, the European Commission, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, the World Bank, UN Development Program, the Asian Development Bank and France. The program is also supported by funds from FAO's Technical Cooperation Program.
FAO
With the new funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), US support to the FAO avian influenza program has reached a total of $112.8 million. The United States remains the largest donor to FAO's bird flu control activities implemented in more than 96 countries.
The funds are mainly earmarked for avian influenza control in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, South Asia, West and Central Africa and Viet Nam, as well as global efforts. Indonesia, Viet Nam and Egypt will be the top beneficiaries.
"Although many countries have successfully managed to get avian influenza under control, the virus remains present in ten countries and is mainly entrenched in countries like Egypt, Indonesia and Viet Nam. The additional US funds will enable FAO to continue its work in support of countries that are still struggling to get the virus under control," said FAO's Chief Veterinary Officer Joseph Domenech.
"The strong partnership with FAO is an integral component of our international efforts to contain and control Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza at its animal source," said Ambassador Gaddi Vasquez of the US Mission to FAO.
The main donors to FAO's avian influenza program, which currently amounts to around $282.7 million, are: the United States, Sweden, Australia, Japan, the European Commission, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, the World Bank, UN Development Program, the Asian Development Bank and France. The program is also supported by funds from FAO's Technical Cooperation Program.
FAO
Подписаться на:
Сообщения (Atom)