Scientists around the world are monitoring the evolution of a highly pathogenic strain of the H5N1 avian or bird flu virus n a virulent bug that is the key suspect for the next flu pandemic. Avian influenza infects wild birds and can spread into domestic birds.
H5N1 is responsible for nearly 400 human cases of bird flu worldwide since 2003 and 63 percent of them have died, according to the latest confirmations from the World Health Organization. Most of the deaths occurred in Indonesia, Egypt, China, Azerbaijan and Turkey among persons who came in direct daily contact with infected birds or their excrement. Others were their close family members. In addition to decimating domestic poultry in Asia n the bird flu virus is expected to mutate into a human form that will spread globally very quickly and result in a human influenza pandemic.
As with colds, seasonal flu and other airborne illnesses, sneezing and coughing without covering your nose and mouth along with modern-day transportation methods and bird migratory behaviors are expected to make it easy for a pandemic bird flu virus to make its move.
The pandemic flu threat is real. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other leading health experts says it is not a matter of “if n it’s a matter of “when” H5N1 catches a ride from human to human.
Federal, state and local governments already have pandemic flu plans for elected officials and key personnel to maintain vital services.
And before this bird flu flies the coop to wreak havoc among both the most healthy and most vulnerable populations n businesses and individual families are urged to plan now to protect livelihoods, households and to slow its progression.
The U.S. government is working with other countries and the World Health Organization to prepare for a flu pandemic through improved monitoring and surveillance, new vaccine technology, increased production ability, stockpiling antiviral drugs and community collaboration.
The challenge for medical, scientific and pharmaceutical communities is coming up with effective avian flu drug vaccines, although no one is certain what version of H5N1 will eventually produce the pandemic.
“Pandemics begin when the virus mutates and that means you’re not going to know much about the final virus that causes the next pandemic until it’s already well established in the human population,” said George Abercrombie, a pharmacist and president and CEO of Hoffman-LaRoche, Inc. “So that makes anti-virals, like Tamiflu (and Relenza), the first line of defense.”
The CDC reports that Relenza and Tamiflu “would probably work to treat influenza caused by H5N1 virus, but additional studies still need to be done to demonstrate their effectiveness.” The H5N1 virus that caused human illness and death in humans is resistant to two older antiviral medications, amantadine and rimantadine, commonly used for influenza.
Companies that produce Tamiflu, Relenza and vaccines are working with government and business organizations to help prepare for a worldwide flu outbreak.
“When a pandemic occurs, many of your employees will likely impose isolation to safeguard their families. People will be afraid to come to work. Your management team may be stricken with an illness and your traditional succession plans may no longer be sufficient,” Abercrombie said.
Abercrombie was in St. Louis in September to speak to a local Rotary group.
“The neat thing I think we’re doing is that we are making investments in science in terms of taking a look at the different strains of H5N1, putting it in the lab, testing Tamiflu against it to make sure everything is fine,” said Michael Maguire, vice president of anti-infectives at Roche Laboratories. “We are trying to really get a handle on how our drug responds to H5N1 as well as any other novel viruses that could be coming out.”
According to GlaxoSmithKline, its product “Prepandrix,” approved as a pre-pandemic vaccine in Europe provides immunity when the second dose is administered many months after the first dose, and even against a different strain. The statement was released last fall during the Third European Influenza Conference held in Portugal in September.
“These new data show that GSK’s pre-pandemic influenza vaccine is highly adaptable to local pandemic policies. Stockpiling of H5N1 vaccine and use of this vaccine is anticipated to provide the ability to offer protection to vaccinated individuals as well as to slow down the spread of the disease. New developments such as this make it vital for governments to continually evaluate their pandemic preparedness plans,” said Jean Stéphenne, President and General Manager GSK Biologicals.
Pre-pandemic vaccines are the only ones that can be produced in advance and stockpiled. Pandemic vaccines are produced when the exact strain is known and may take months to develop.
Pandemic flu prevention and preparation measures at home include:
• Practicing healthy respiratory health behaviors- coughing and sneezing into tissues or toward the inside of your sleeve and throwing the tissue away (not coughing into your hands) and washing your hands immediately afterward.
• Wash your hands frequently n with soap and water throughout the day to minimize the spread of germs.
• Storing extra food and water n stockpile two weeks worth of canned/ easily prepared, non-perishable foods that your family eats and bottled water for each family member.
• Keeping telephones, computers and other frequently touched machines and objects clean and disinfected.
• Having a family communication plan n to make sure everyone knows how to communicate with one another without relying on cell phones if there is a pandemic. In addition, collect and share emergency contact information for each person’s doctor, pharmacy, in and out of town contacts and place of worship.
• Create an emergency kit n to include basic supplies such as flashlights, batteries, a battery-powered radio, a thermometer, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, tissue, soap, cleaning supplies, a can opener, garbage bags, pet, baby, dental and vision supplies, extra cash and copies of important personal documents, etc.
• Maintaining prescriptions n Making sure you have enough (unexpired) prescription meds and over-the counter medication and products, such as pain relievers, vitamins and cough/cold medicines, antidiarrheal medicine, and hydrating drinks available.
• Staying away from others as much as possible if you are sick.
• Planning for care if you or a family member becomes sick n and what would be needed in the home for that care.
• Planning ahead n for how you and your family will proceed if schools, groceries stores, utilities and public places are closed, transportation is limited and you cannot go to work during the pandemic.
For more information go to pandemicflu.gov, call 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636) or download the booklet, “Preparing for the Pandemic Flu: A Community Guide” at http://www.dhss.mo.gov/Ready_in_3/PanFluCommunityGuide.pdf or call 1-573-751-6161.
