[article out of Russia]
publication: 29 January 2009, 13:34
On Thursday, Japanese researchers reported that they have developed a vaccine against influenza, which can protect against different types of virus, and even prevent the deadly pandemic of avian influenza in the event of mutation.
As the AFP, the scientists successfully tested the vaccine on mice, which implanted human genes, said Tetsuya Uchida, a researcher from the National Institute of Infectious Diseases.
- The more dangerous avian influenza (Help)
Current influenza vaccine rapidly lose their effectiveness, however, Japanese scientists claim that their vaccine will not become useless with time. While the vehicle suffered only a few types of influenza, including the virus H5N1, but the creators are confident that a vaccine would be effective against new types of avian influenza.
According to the World Health Organization, since 2003, from bird flu have died, about 250 people - mostly in Southeast Asia. WHO has warned that the deadly bird flu in the future capable mutate. If the virus begins to easily spread from person to person, it threatens millions of victims.
Uchida said that prior to the practical application of the new vaccine will take several years. Until then, it is necessary to confirm its safety in the course of further experiments with mice and other animals. Only then will try to develop people.
Vaccine Research conducted jointly by scientists from the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, University of Hokkaido, Saitama University Faculty of Medicine and Chemical Corporation NOF. After the appearance of information on successful tests of NOF actions on the Tokyo Stock Exchange jumped to 20.79%.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Indonesia case summary update (Komnas Flu burung, 2009)
Avian influenza human infection cases up to 2009 update issued by Indonesia Ministry of Health.
Kindly contributed by Dr C. A. Nidom of Avian Influenza Laboratory, Institute of Tropical Disease Surabaya Indonesia.
Click on Image:
hat-tip: http://birdflucorner.wordpress.com/
Kindly contributed by Dr C. A. Nidom of Avian Influenza Laboratory, Institute of Tropical Disease Surabaya Indonesia.
Click on Image:
hat-tip: http://birdflucorner.wordpress.com/
Hangzhou to strengthen bird flu prevention and control must be pre-treated patients at diagnosis
Previously:
Zhejiang Online Xinhua January 30 Recently, Hangzhou City Health Bureau to strengthen bird flu prevention and control issued a notice recently to major hospitals in Hangzhou patients, it is necessary to go to pre-Desk triage, measuring body temperature, asked about the history of contacts and poultry history. Body temperature above 38 ℃ and with a cold, cough patients need to fever clinics.
Been reported throughout the sporadic cases of avian flu after the January 20, Zhejiang Province Health Department issued a contingency plan in accordance with an orange warning, at the same time issued a "pneumonia of unknown causes on the strengthening of monitoring cases of emergency notification." At present, Zhejiang Province, there is no cases of pneumonia of unknown causes and human bird flu report.
Hangzhou, assured the public that Health Bureau, Health Bureau has set up in Hangzhou unexplained pneumonia prevention and treatment expert group. If the outbreak, patients admitted to the venue have been finalized arrangements for the emergency center from 120 specialized personnel and vehicles.
At present, the various medical institutions in Hangzhou norms set up fever clinics; strictly enforce the pre-triage system; Group of Experts on the establishment of hospital diagnosis difficult cases; strengthening outbreak detection and reporting of information. Hangzhou set up fever clinics of major hospitals are:
Hangzhou First People's Hospital, fever outpatient telephone 87065701-20185
Second People's Hospital of Hangzhou, fever outpatient telephone 88303599
Hangzhou Third People's Hospital, fever outpatient telephone 87823197
Hangzhou, the Fourth Hospital, fever clinics Tel 86059888-6142
Hangzhou Red Cross Hospital, fever outpatient telephone 56109810
Chinese medicine hospital in Hangzhou, fever outpatient Tel 85827505
Hangzhou issued an emergency notice during the Spring Festival to strengthen bird flu prevention and control
[This is one of those "emergency notices", or "urgent circulars" that I have started watching out for. this one appears to have been issued a few days ago.]
http://pandemicinformationnews.blogspot.com/2009/01/hangzhou-issued-emergency-notice-during.html
Zhejiang Online Xinhua January 30 Recently, Hangzhou City Health Bureau to strengthen bird flu prevention and control issued a notice recently to major hospitals in Hangzhou patients, it is necessary to go to pre-Desk triage, measuring body temperature, asked about the history of contacts and poultry history. Body temperature above 38 ℃ and with a cold, cough patients need to fever clinics.
Been reported throughout the sporadic cases of avian flu after the January 20, Zhejiang Province Health Department issued a contingency plan in accordance with an orange warning, at the same time issued a "pneumonia of unknown causes on the strengthening of monitoring cases of emergency notification." At present, Zhejiang Province, there is no cases of pneumonia of unknown causes and human bird flu report.
Hangzhou, assured the public that Health Bureau, Health Bureau has set up in Hangzhou unexplained pneumonia prevention and treatment expert group. If the outbreak, patients admitted to the venue have been finalized arrangements for the emergency center from 120 specialized personnel and vehicles.
At present, the various medical institutions in Hangzhou norms set up fever clinics; strictly enforce the pre-triage system; Group of Experts on the establishment of hospital diagnosis difficult cases; strengthening outbreak detection and reporting of information. Hangzhou set up fever clinics of major hospitals are:
Hangzhou First People's Hospital, fever outpatient telephone 87065701-20185
Second People's Hospital of Hangzhou, fever outpatient telephone 88303599
Hangzhou Third People's Hospital, fever outpatient telephone 87823197
Hangzhou, the Fourth Hospital, fever clinics Tel 86059888-6142
Hangzhou Red Cross Hospital, fever outpatient telephone 56109810
Chinese medicine hospital in Hangzhou, fever outpatient Tel 85827505
WHO refuses to rule out pig-to-human transmission of Ebola virus
Posted: 30 January 2009 1549 hrs
MANILA: The Philippine government and the World Health Organisation on Friday refused to rule out the possibility that five men may have contracted a non-lethal strain of the Ebola virus from infected pigs.
Four pig farm workers and a butcher in the northern Philippines tested positive for antibodies for Ebola-Reston, indicating that they may have been infected with the virus in the past, Health Secretary Francisco Duque said.
Pigs in the same area of the country were struck by the virus over the past year.
If a link is proved between the outbreak in the animals and the men, it would be the first time humans have contracted the disease from pigs, although there was no firm evidence of that so far, officials said.
A World Health Organization-led UN team said all the men – who are aged between 22 and 52 – are well and no longer carry the virus after being able to expel it from their systems.
Julie Hall, a member of the UN investigating team, told a news conference that it was a "low-risk situation and an important situation for animal and human health".
However, she said she agreed with an earlier statement by Duque that a swine-to-human transmission of the virus "cannot be dismissed".
"There are still a lot of unanswered questions about this particular virus," Hall said.
"These are humans who are young, fit and healthy," she said, adding there was no telling what the virus could have done "if other individuals who do not have robust immune systems were to be infected."
The UN sent a team of medical specialists to the Philippines last month after four pigs tested positive for a strain of Ebola that was first found in monkeys exported by the Philippines to a US laboratory in Reston, Virginia.
The other known Ebola strains are deadly to humans.
Two farms in Bulacan and Pangasinan provinces were quarantined and the health department and the UN team gathered blood samples from 77 people who may have been exposed to the virus.
Duque said three of the five men were from the quarantined farms, but all the men are "healthy and have not been seriously ill in the previous 12 months".
The workers are not the first human cases of the Ebola-Reston virus.
Twenty-five people who came into contact with the infected laboratory monkeys in 1989 tested positive for the virus. Only one showed signs of sickness, suffering from flu-like symptoms, but quickly recovered.
- AFP/so
MANILA: The Philippine government and the World Health Organisation on Friday refused to rule out the possibility that five men may have contracted a non-lethal strain of the Ebola virus from infected pigs.
Four pig farm workers and a butcher in the northern Philippines tested positive for antibodies for Ebola-Reston, indicating that they may have been infected with the virus in the past, Health Secretary Francisco Duque said.
Pigs in the same area of the country were struck by the virus over the past year.
If a link is proved between the outbreak in the animals and the men, it would be the first time humans have contracted the disease from pigs, although there was no firm evidence of that so far, officials said.
A World Health Organization-led UN team said all the men – who are aged between 22 and 52 – are well and no longer carry the virus after being able to expel it from their systems.
Julie Hall, a member of the UN investigating team, told a news conference that it was a "low-risk situation and an important situation for animal and human health".
However, she said she agreed with an earlier statement by Duque that a swine-to-human transmission of the virus "cannot be dismissed".
"There are still a lot of unanswered questions about this particular virus," Hall said.
"These are humans who are young, fit and healthy," she said, adding there was no telling what the virus could have done "if other individuals who do not have robust immune systems were to be infected."
The UN sent a team of medical specialists to the Philippines last month after four pigs tested positive for a strain of Ebola that was first found in monkeys exported by the Philippines to a US laboratory in Reston, Virginia.
The other known Ebola strains are deadly to humans.
Two farms in Bulacan and Pangasinan provinces were quarantined and the health department and the UN team gathered blood samples from 77 people who may have been exposed to the virus.
Duque said three of the five men were from the quarantined farms, but all the men are "healthy and have not been seriously ill in the previous 12 months".
The workers are not the first human cases of the Ebola-Reston virus.
Twenty-five people who came into contact with the infected laboratory monkeys in 1989 tested positive for the virus. Only one showed signs of sickness, suffering from flu-like symptoms, but quickly recovered.
- AFP/so
Thursday, January 29, 2009
China bird flu: local government to conceal the epidemic unforgivable
(Boxun Beijing January 30, 2009 reprint)
Source: The Sun
January 26, which is New Year's Day, Guangxi a patient infected with bird flu death. January 6 this year, the Chinese mainland's seventh report of human case of bird flu. Earlier, Beijing, Shanxi, Shandong, Xinjiang, Guizhou, Hunan, all confirmed case of human bird flu cases, this case is also the fifth this year communications cases of human bird flu deaths. (Boxun.com)
While in accordance with the official version that there is still no large-scale outbreak of avian flu畺people like, but in a short span of 20 days alone, seven cases of bird flu, but also scattered in various parts of the country, it is a vigilance of the authorities问题. First and foremost is how to prevent bird flu from scattered attacks, evolved into large-scale epidemic.
It is precisely because of human infection of bird flu mortality rate, has not yet been invented effects of drug therapy, once the outbreak will be a more terrible than the SARS public health crisis. Especially in the current downturn in the economy, social stability, on the face of this test, if the avian flu epidemic is no different from one disaster after another. How to prevent bird flu outbreak, epidemic, is facing a major test.
The authorities, this is actually a very difficult problem. Before and after the Spring Festival is the most frequent population movements in the period, during which hundreds of millions of people with尠trains, aircraft, motor vehicles in various parts of the mobile everywhere, combined with the bird flu itself can migrate with the birds and spread, these are the fundamental no control.
To conceal the epidemic unforgivable
At present, the response from the authorities, it is clear and did not realize the seriousness of the problem, especially in some local governments, it is not the same thing as the prevention of avian flu. Although bird flu has been unexpected deaths, but the authorities insisted that the epidemic has been no large-scale epidemic. Perhaps there is no immediate large-scale epidemic outbreak is indeed a fact, but the Government that it should be nipped in the bud, in case an outbreak should be how to do? Government should tell the people, whether or not already have adequate coping strategies.
Moreover, many local governments whether or not concealed the epidemic so far is also unknown. To know that a false picture of peace, non-disclosure issues, has been a chronic illness, the Mainland久治不愈officialdom. SARS is the first place in individual, only some scattered cases, but because some officials did not take preventive measures, but their own personal interests, trying to conceal the epidemic, continued to fabricate false information, and ultimately not only deceived the people, but also high-level Beijing confused, and thus made erroneous judgments, to take wrong decisions, leading to the outbreak of large-scale epidemic, can not control.
This lesson has happened many times, is also the case with Sanlu milk powder poisoning. If things just at the time of exposure, Shijiazhuang officials are not hiding the truth, but actively respond to the problem would not have evolved to the point where It can not clean up, the authorities should draw臈adequate training. To hide problems, avoiding problems is not the way, the correct way should be taken in advance of adequate preventive measures.
In addition, the authorities should also be considered, if not in the short term control of avian flu continue to erupt, if there is bird flu deaths continue to burst, will lead some countries to resist this as a reason for China's agricultural products exports. If this happens, how to explain, how to deal with, need to make plans in advance. _ (Network text of which is reproduced) (Boxun.com)
Source: The Sun
January 26, which is New Year's Day, Guangxi a patient infected with bird flu death. January 6 this year, the Chinese mainland's seventh report of human case of bird flu. Earlier, Beijing, Shanxi, Shandong, Xinjiang, Guizhou, Hunan, all confirmed case of human bird flu cases, this case is also the fifth this year communications cases of human bird flu deaths. (Boxun.com)
While in accordance with the official version that there is still no large-scale outbreak of avian flu畺people like, but in a short span of 20 days alone, seven cases of bird flu, but also scattered in various parts of the country, it is a vigilance of the authorities问题. First and foremost is how to prevent bird flu from scattered attacks, evolved into large-scale epidemic.
It is precisely because of human infection of bird flu mortality rate, has not yet been invented effects of drug therapy, once the outbreak will be a more terrible than the SARS public health crisis. Especially in the current downturn in the economy, social stability, on the face of this test, if the avian flu epidemic is no different from one disaster after another. How to prevent bird flu outbreak, epidemic, is facing a major test.
The authorities, this is actually a very difficult problem. Before and after the Spring Festival is the most frequent population movements in the period, during which hundreds of millions of people with尠trains, aircraft, motor vehicles in various parts of the mobile everywhere, combined with the bird flu itself can migrate with the birds and spread, these are the fundamental no control.
To conceal the epidemic unforgivable
At present, the response from the authorities, it is clear and did not realize the seriousness of the problem, especially in some local governments, it is not the same thing as the prevention of avian flu. Although bird flu has been unexpected deaths, but the authorities insisted that the epidemic has been no large-scale epidemic. Perhaps there is no immediate large-scale epidemic outbreak is indeed a fact, but the Government that it should be nipped in the bud, in case an outbreak should be how to do? Government should tell the people, whether or not already have adequate coping strategies.
Moreover, many local governments whether or not concealed the epidemic so far is also unknown. To know that a false picture of peace, non-disclosure issues, has been a chronic illness, the Mainland久治不愈officialdom. SARS is the first place in individual, only some scattered cases, but because some officials did not take preventive measures, but their own personal interests, trying to conceal the epidemic, continued to fabricate false information, and ultimately not only deceived the people, but also high-level Beijing confused, and thus made erroneous judgments, to take wrong decisions, leading to the outbreak of large-scale epidemic, can not control.
This lesson has happened many times, is also the case with Sanlu milk powder poisoning. If things just at the time of exposure, Shijiazhuang officials are not hiding the truth, but actively respond to the problem would not have evolved to the point where It can not clean up, the authorities should draw臈adequate training. To hide problems, avoiding problems is not the way, the correct way should be taken in advance of adequate preventive measures.
In addition, the authorities should also be considered, if not in the short term control of avian flu continue to erupt, if there is bird flu deaths continue to burst, will lead some countries to resist this as a reason for China's agricultural products exports. If this happens, how to explain, how to deal with, need to make plans in advance. _ (Network text of which is reproduced) (Boxun.com)
Chinese experts have admitted that bird flu may spread nationwide by the spring
(Boxun Beijing January 30, 2009 reprint)
Xinhua News Agency in Taipei on the 29th
Chinese New Year holiday, China still a major bird flu outbreak. Although the latest cases of patients improved, but according to statistics, this year have taken place since the 7 cases, of which 5 people died. Experts said that with the large inter-provincial movement of the Chinese New Year crowd, do not rule out the spread of bird flu danger.
(Boxun.com)
According to the Hong Kong Chinese news agency reported that the latest infection is surnamed Zhou Guizhou male patients, after emergency treatment, temporary fluid can eat food. Prior to this, the disease of Shanxi 2-year-old patient had been in stable condition.
Reported that so far this year, mainland China have been found in seven cases of human infection of bird flu, respectively, are located in Beijing, Shanxi, Shandong, Hunan, Xinjiang, Guizhou, Guangxi, seven provinces and municipalities and autonomous regions, of which 5 have died. According to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention statistics, since 2005, China has cured 10 cases of related cases.
Report said, this year's 7 cases, the patients have four women, three men. Guizhou week and last name in close contact with patients prior to the onset of the 125 people currently no abnormal clinical symptoms.
The statistics show that since 2005, China has discovered and confirmed human case of bird flu 36 cases, 24 cases of death. In addition to being treated this year, the incidence of Guizhou, Shanxi, two patients have been 10 cases of patients completely cured. However, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention experts worry that as the Chinese New Year festive crowd a large number of inter-provincial movement of bird flu has spread at risk. (Boxun.com)
Xinhua News Agency in Taipei on the 29th
Chinese New Year holiday, China still a major bird flu outbreak. Although the latest cases of patients improved, but according to statistics, this year have taken place since the 7 cases, of which 5 people died. Experts said that with the large inter-provincial movement of the Chinese New Year crowd, do not rule out the spread of bird flu danger.
(Boxun.com)
According to the Hong Kong Chinese news agency reported that the latest infection is surnamed Zhou Guizhou male patients, after emergency treatment, temporary fluid can eat food. Prior to this, the disease of Shanxi 2-year-old patient had been in stable condition.
Reported that so far this year, mainland China have been found in seven cases of human infection of bird flu, respectively, are located in Beijing, Shanxi, Shandong, Hunan, Xinjiang, Guizhou, Guangxi, seven provinces and municipalities and autonomous regions, of which 5 have died. According to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention statistics, since 2005, China has cured 10 cases of related cases.
Report said, this year's 7 cases, the patients have four women, three men. Guizhou week and last name in close contact with patients prior to the onset of the 125 people currently no abnormal clinical symptoms.
The statistics show that since 2005, China has discovered and confirmed human case of bird flu 36 cases, 24 cases of death. In addition to being treated this year, the incidence of Guizhou, Shanxi, two patients have been 10 cases of patients completely cured. However, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention experts worry that as the Chinese New Year festive crowd a large number of inter-provincial movement of bird flu has spread at risk. (Boxun.com)
China Articles
[I'm not seeing in any of these articles, that they tested and confirmed H5N1 in any poultry/turkeys/pigeons/doves/etc.]
Beiliu City case of human infection of highly pathogenic avian influenza cases
http://66.102.1.100/translate_c?hl=en&sl=zh-CN&tl=en&u=http://www.yldt.com/Details/100/2026/default.aspx&prev=_t&usg=ALkJrhic4dFZqPPcP_IlMC1OIWM9JazSEQ
Beiliu: poultry products strictly control market access
http://66.102.1.100/translate_c?hl=en&sl=zh-CN&tl=en&u=http://www.yldt.com/Details/100/2059/default.aspx&prev=_t&usg=ALkJrhgTRSN2uZzS5dUl8SNgCPaglbj79A
January 30 Avian influenza immunization coverage rate of 100%
http://66.102.1.100/translate_c?hl=en&sl=zh-CN&tl=en&u=http://www.yldt.com/Details/100/2057/default.aspx&prev=_t&usg=ALkJrhj-DwPAKrlunxogyu3GFJJ-FMTnLg
Luchuan: to carry out rapid disease prevention and control of avian influenza
http://66.102.1.100/translate_c?hl=en&sl=zh-CN&tl=en&u=http://www.yldt.com/Details/100/2056/default.aspx&prev=_t&usg=ALkJrhhdTql48wAcOvwKY5fY6Z-YFBySRw
Eastern Rongxian: County farms leading to the bird flu epidemic prevention inspector
http://66.102.1.100/translate_c?hl=en&sl=zh-CN&tl=en&u=http://www.yldt.com/Details/100/2055/default.aspx&prev=_t&usg=ALkJrhj7EEq9PNiXB8lI22oX9c-YrIzV3w
Beiliu City case of human infection of highly pathogenic avian influenza cases
http://66.102.1.100/translate_c?hl=en&sl=zh-CN&tl=en&u=http://www.yldt.com/Details/100/2026/default.aspx&prev=_t&usg=ALkJrhic4dFZqPPcP_IlMC1OIWM9JazSEQ
Beiliu: poultry products strictly control market access
http://66.102.1.100/translate_c?hl=en&sl=zh-CN&tl=en&u=http://www.yldt.com/Details/100/2059/default.aspx&prev=_t&usg=ALkJrhgTRSN2uZzS5dUl8SNgCPaglbj79A
January 30 Avian influenza immunization coverage rate of 100%
http://66.102.1.100/translate_c?hl=en&sl=zh-CN&tl=en&u=http://www.yldt.com/Details/100/2057/default.aspx&prev=_t&usg=ALkJrhj-DwPAKrlunxogyu3GFJJ-FMTnLg
Luchuan: to carry out rapid disease prevention and control of avian influenza
http://66.102.1.100/translate_c?hl=en&sl=zh-CN&tl=en&u=http://www.yldt.com/Details/100/2056/default.aspx&prev=_t&usg=ALkJrhhdTql48wAcOvwKY5fY6Z-YFBySRw
Eastern Rongxian: County farms leading to the bird flu epidemic prevention inspector
http://66.102.1.100/translate_c?hl=en&sl=zh-CN&tl=en&u=http://www.yldt.com/Details/100/2055/default.aspx&prev=_t&usg=ALkJrhj7EEq9PNiXB8lI22oX9c-YrIzV3w
A vaccine could withstand mutations of bird flu
[If I've read this story about the new vacinne once today....I've read it a dozen times. In Korea, Russia, Indonesia...China...Vietnam. This one happens to be out of France]
This is an excerpt of an article on the same vaccine out of Korea:
THURSDAY, 29 JANUARY 2009
While many Chinese are affected by the H5N1 virus have died, the Japanese say finalizing a vaccine-resistant mutations of the avian influenza and likely to avoid a catastrophic pandemic for humans.
AFP - Japanese researchers claimed Thursday to have found a vaccine that might work against possible mutations of the avian influenza virus and prevent a catastrophic pandemic.
The team tested the vaccine on mice that had been implanted human genes and experience has confirmed that the treatment works even when mutation of the virus, said Tetsuya Uchida, a researcher at the National Institute of Diseases infectious.
According to these scientists, this discovery could help prevent a pandemic if the H5N1 avian influenza mutait to be transmitted from humans, a hypothesis which threatens millions of deaths in World Health Organization (WHO ).
The usual vaccines against influenza are based on the protein that covers the envelope of the virus, but this protein is often subject to change, making the vaccine ineffective.
Japanese researchers have based their vaccine on internal virus proteins, which have little tendency to mutate, "said Uchida to AFP.
He warned however that it would take years to make the vaccine available, the testing to be carried out on mice and other animals, to ensure its safety, before trying it on men.
The researcher said that the vaccine was successfully tested on different flu viruses, including highly pathogenic H5N1 virus of avian influenza, but also on virus more "classic" type A
Tests were conducted this winter in Japan, but also in the USA, to measure the resistance of the virus most prevalent this season as Tamiflu, the antiviral used as marketed by the Swiss pharmaceutical group Roche.
The federal Centers for control and prevention of diseases, the American side, as the Ministry of Health, Japanese side, have warned that most of these type A viruses were resistant to Tamiflu.
The work of Japanese researchers is carried out jointly by specialists from the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, University of Hokkaido, the Saitama Medical University and the NOF chemical company, based in Tokyo.
The NOF has jumped by more than 20% at the Tokyo Stock Exchange as soon as the new known.
Similar attempts to develop vaccines, addressing in the virus rather than its envelope are underway elsewhere, including at the University of Oxford (United Kingdom), "said Uchida.
-snip-
This is an excerpt of an article on the same vaccine out of Korea:
"The vaccine in the fashion this winter, the Soviet A-type 'and' Hong Kong A-type ', and the possibility of new byeonyidoel flu' H5N1 type 'of bird flu 3 species was made based on a common internal proteins."
http://tinyurl.com/dhhv9d
THURSDAY, 29 JANUARY 2009
While many Chinese are affected by the H5N1 virus have died, the Japanese say finalizing a vaccine-resistant mutations of the avian influenza and likely to avoid a catastrophic pandemic for humans.
AFP - Japanese researchers claimed Thursday to have found a vaccine that might work against possible mutations of the avian influenza virus and prevent a catastrophic pandemic.
The team tested the vaccine on mice that had been implanted human genes and experience has confirmed that the treatment works even when mutation of the virus, said Tetsuya Uchida, a researcher at the National Institute of Diseases infectious.
According to these scientists, this discovery could help prevent a pandemic if the H5N1 avian influenza mutait to be transmitted from humans, a hypothesis which threatens millions of deaths in World Health Organization (WHO ).
The usual vaccines against influenza are based on the protein that covers the envelope of the virus, but this protein is often subject to change, making the vaccine ineffective.
Japanese researchers have based their vaccine on internal virus proteins, which have little tendency to mutate, "said Uchida to AFP.
He warned however that it would take years to make the vaccine available, the testing to be carried out on mice and other animals, to ensure its safety, before trying it on men.
The researcher said that the vaccine was successfully tested on different flu viruses, including highly pathogenic H5N1 virus of avian influenza, but also on virus more "classic" type A
Tests were conducted this winter in Japan, but also in the USA, to measure the resistance of the virus most prevalent this season as Tamiflu, the antiviral used as marketed by the Swiss pharmaceutical group Roche.
The federal Centers for control and prevention of diseases, the American side, as the Ministry of Health, Japanese side, have warned that most of these type A viruses were resistant to Tamiflu.
The work of Japanese researchers is carried out jointly by specialists from the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, University of Hokkaido, the Saitama Medical University and the NOF chemical company, based in Tokyo.
The NOF has jumped by more than 20% at the Tokyo Stock Exchange as soon as the new known.
Similar attempts to develop vaccines, addressing in the virus rather than its envelope are underway elsewhere, including at the University of Oxford (United Kingdom), "said Uchida.
-snip-
Drug poisoning mistaken for bird flu case at Narita airport
Friday, Jan. 30, 2009
NARITA, Chiba Pref. (Kyodo) Medical and immigration staff at Narita International Airport were put on high alert Jan. 22 when a Taiwanese passenger arriving from Hong Kong collapsed with a fever and was suspected of having a new type of bird flu, it was learned Thursday.
 |
| False alarm: A Taiwanese passenger arriving from Hong Kong on Jan. 22 was suspected of having a new type of bird flu and rushed to Narita International Airport's clinic. KYODO PHOTO |
A medical examination, however, found that the man was suffering from drug poisoning after having swallowed about 90 pouches containing illegal stimulants.
The man went into convulsions and fell into a coma in a customs inspections area after arriving on a Cathay Pacific flight, and a preliminary medical test indicated he was possibly suffering bird flu.
Officials briefly quarantined customs and immigration officers who were in contact with the man and closed an airport clinic that conducted the initial tests. A detailed exam later pointed to drug poisoning.
[ITpro conference: anti-pandemic] BCP formulation is performed in step 5, Let the first business continuity
"BCP efforts to develop, if you consider the measures of wages and labor and may need to lay a big loss at a critical moment "---。 Hukaya Sumiko's Director's Institute for Business Continuity in the NPO, 2009 January 28, ITpro a business conference, the way of measures to tackle avian flu now companies, the five-step described shows. Subject Talk "The new anti-flu efforts and without waiting to be asked to formulate corporate BCP considerations".
Fukaya said at the beginning, for new flu formulation of BCP as a precondition, and to see a variety of regulations and guidelines as a reference, the company is working on an existing BCP / BCM may consider collaboration with and need. Valid, it measures NARANAITOU to be realistic. Under this major premise, the following five steps: (1) confirmation of the risk assumed, (2) BCP formulation of policies, and (3) impact analysis, (4) implementation of measures, (5) Awareness Training --- The BCP should address that.
Step 1, "Check the risk assumed," that is important, do not assume the risk of many from the beginning, to start from a simple risk. Complex items, such as assuming the status of public infrastructure and changes in social demand for the products in the table, starting from the assumption of a constant value over the first rate of absenteeism, said. And many assumed that it would take some time to study ways of starting a simple reason.
Step 2 "BCP formulation of policy" is important, BCP is clear objective, and continue to work on it, it is important to distinguish between business and stop. Individual business continuity / suspension as a factor to determine is whether you need to maintain a functional society, the final user who, considering the number of suppliers and if, when demand for flu what of, and the like.
Step 3 "impact analysis", analysis of the impact on business and decided to continue there is some important points. The most important point is the risk of influenza infection. For example, the risk of infection by a different office layout. Telecommuting and other private and the risk of infection is lower case. Second point is the risk of infection, and lack of personnel for business continuity, the impact of supply chain and the financial impact.
The effects of lack of personnel, the first number you need / ability to maintain skills. In addition, personnel have secured the necessary qualifications or meet the work pattern of the forms of labor contracts and business continuity, and that there is a problem. The impact of supply chain, for example, bank ATM maintenance and cash logistics services, transportation of cash is being outsourced. Whether it can maintain, such as the problem. In addition, if the pandemic can be used when the building tenants, there is a problem. Security company in advance / cleaning company / he might need to negotiate with management companies.
Step 4 "measures" in the description of the survey were presented to businesses for business continuity Organization. Companies, "the handling of payroll and handling of labor, or to do a specific" received a number of practical questions. In these specific efforts, Fukaya said, showed a few examples. First, the company has the obligation of security. Just keep your mask is not enough and expressed the view that it was proper to implement the obligations and employee education and training. For the salary is, BCP for the absence of a force majeure on the formulation, a view that seems to be exempt for payment of salary, while the Civil Code cites.
Step 5 "Awareness Training" in a sense the most important reforms, critical attitude and refrain from active work. "I rest in the Case" that have to change our thinking.
ITpro conference: anti-pandemic] BCP is also important, Fuji Xerox is to prioritize the safety of people
"In our risk management," avian flu "is a" big earthquake "is important, along with "---。 2009 January 28, consider measures of corporate pandemic risk ITpro & Business Administration Department, Fuji Xerox conference Mr. Minoru Nakajima ESHIKKUSUMANEJIMENTOGURUPU length (photo) stage. I explained the basic policies of the company's new flu.
About Fuji Xerox's new flu, Nakajima said, "We are firmly committed to the movement of the administration." The company's new flu plan is designed based on guidelines established by state and government. In particular, the internal measures in the event of a pandemic avian flu overseas, "the premise of the anti-government edge" (Mr. Nakajima).
Are in accordance with administrative guidelines, to keep the business is fraught with difficulty. Mr. Nakashima is the concern of the government's shoreline measures "be promptly returned to Japanese nationals living abroad wish to return home", "Family is to be returned to his expatriate employees of the discussion in any case is ongoing that, "he said. However, Phase 6 (situation in the world to expand the disease from human to human) case of a pandemic, "it takes a period of calming down the situation a year or two experts in that year. This is usually of BCP (Business Continuity Plan) in the range can not "(Mr. Nakajima). The company has other business to refrain from depending on the pandemic phase, activities will be suspended immediately if the request from the administration and leadership. "BCP is also important, as part of their corporate social responsibility, but our basic priority is the safety of the people" (Mr. Nakajima).
In order to develop internal policies to all employees against avian flu, its year-end 2008, for employees "pandemic response guide" was distributed. The summer of 2008, the antiseptic mask and all domestic employees "set a new flu" was distributed. This is to prevent the infection to other employees during a pandemic outbreak, also hopes to raise employee awareness of avian flu. The company now plans to distribute a set of measures against avian flu overseas employees.
(Se Hano 1000 3 = ITpro) [2009/01/28]
[ITpro conference: pandemic measures] measures INFURU new manual is truly useful? --- Q & A from
2009 January 28, ITpro seminar organized by the "countermeasures for pandemic company" by the speaker of the Q & A session was conducted (Fig. 1). Questions gathered from the participants to take the avian flu preparedness, publishing books and manuals is no "loophole" that just hit. "Anti-earthquake and defining difference between" Manual "useless" and who is following the said session.
The stage as a respondent, a director at Japan's Institute for Business Continuity, IBM Hukaya Sumiko, Mr. Hiroshi Tadashi青地of Tokio Marine & Nichido Risk Consulting, Mr. Minoru Nakajima, Fuji Xerox, the teachers of medicine, he said, Yuki Hiroshi Shibata and, Q & A's participation in crisis management from the session / total capacity flat Tetsuya's five public relations consultant. 投GEKAKETA ITpro questions on behalf of the deputy editor of visitors Yoshida Takuya.
Organization Task Force is "distributed" is better
Photos 2 ● "measures for business pandemic" example questions from seminar participants
Q & A session, more than 20 questions to answer his questions 5. What was the urgency of questions that participants be at the vanguard of companies which have both anti-(photo 2).
For example "how the task force? Different measures of earthquake?" The question is, Tokio Marine & Nichido Risk Consulting青地"pandemic crisis persist.設KENAKERE a task force be distributed based "annihilation" at risk "and answers. On the other hand, if the measures are well in mind the transient and earthquake disaster in "The diversion is to be diverted. Lead to confusion and change the employee's poor" (Mr.青地) and and stabbed the nails and to maintain effective心GAKERUBEKI.
Japan co-director at the IBM Institute for Business Continuity to the Fukaya said, "Members of the task force headquarters personnel to the earthquake center, the main target of the recovery system and the customer. Pandemic is not only based measures, business The fleet in the name of a headquarters division "about their cases, and enable cross-organization.
Fukaya's also a case of anti-organization of financial institutions. "If you spread for each base, and work furlough employees work divided into two teams, if you install a new one every two weeks in the case" that presented a specific example.
Archenemy known to employees is "vague manual"
"Awareness of the training manual and what to do?" The question, Mr. Nakajima, Fuji Xerox went pandemic actually measures "against education, non-members involved in the operation of foreign workers and employees配RUBEKI all eyes "and showed the basic idea. Crisis management in this supplement / PR consultant's flat performance "in many cases, problems begin to be widely known in the manual."
Manual and the problem is to describe the action "if necessary" "if possible" "avoid as much as possible" and to include the wording. The flat performance was "action, including the wording is ambiguous, it is useless when PANDEMIKKU. Of course, employees have also read about" BASSARI. "Matters to be decided stockpile and distribute these steps are described in clear guidelines to be determined, it is TBA, foster the development of the muscle.'s Trip is not urgent to avoid unnecessary, not to worry as the necessary out to be an explicit, even in the cases "(his ability to flat), and dumped off a manual for peace.
The agreement will see "the visual documentation is important." Yuki Hiroshi Shibata said the drug "will have to incorporate video as a method to inform the employee. The documentation available to the general public is simple and easy to use many of the pictures are created by the city of Akashi, Hyogo . as a reference point for companies and are provided for the Mayor to send a message when PANDEMIKKU. "
After "liable for holiday pay for the" "that are based in China, the Chinese government's attitude is" true to nature and climate questions, Q & A session will end in a manner that over time less than 10 minutes. The only visitors at a later date and did not answer the questions through the Web at the public announcement that you saw the images of the participants reveal a voice of relief.
(Takahashi Hidekazu = ITpro) [2009/01/28]
ITpro conference: pandemic measures "intended to protect the lives of relatives ..." --- The vice president's new anti-flu drug Yuki Hiroshi
Goh Shibata MD, vice president of medicine at Yuki Hiroshi
2009/01/28
ITpro conference: pandemic measures "intended to protect the lives of relatives ..." --- The vice president's new anti-flu drug Yuki Hiroshi
2009 January 28 ITpro ITpro conference organized by the "measures for business pandemic", he said, in Dr. Shibata's Executive Vice President Yuki Hiroshi drugs, "the concept of infection control to protect the employee's three-layer approach to defense, "a lecture titled. And status of avian flu, the infection mechanism, said the anticipated threats, pandemic (explosion infection) and the crisis, said he thought the defense techniques.
Three categories of influenza
Mr. Shibata is with the way the avian flu, and the position and the country "have a temperature difference," he said, the flu that can infect people, by the following three categories. (1) seasonal flu-infected people (2) a new influenza infection, (3) --- bird flu.
(1) of the seasonal flu, pandemic flu are common every year. Often "minor" They have to be treated with the vaccine change every year little by little. (2) of the avian flu, people have little immunity, but that is why pandemic. "If you say for example (the flu) FURUMODERUCHENJI. Celsior or the car if the Crown" (Mr. Shibata). And (3) avian influenza, (2) shall be responsible for. "Would you know what's coming next and how a new influenza, rapid testing of avian influenza" (He).
Will talk about the recent "H5N1" is the mutant type gene (3) changing the type of flu in people, "poison-strong" most likely. Avian flu virus in the past in attenuated form, the more places are limited to respiratory viruses. The "high virulent type" virus in the "increase in the body" (He). This is supposed to indicate a high fatality rate of severe patients.
Young people below 40 years is in danger, then all infected
Mr. Shibata has been moved to the characteristics of the subjects infected with influenza. Mr. Shibata is emphasized here 39 years old young patient, who died trying. "The age distribution and prognosis of human cases of H5N1 infection," young people aged 39 and 40 present the data differ in the number of patients in a number of times over. He said the cause of this difference, and the excessive immune response to severe in young people, the difference between the chance go out of fashion 40 years ago pointed out the possibility that H2N2 and subtype and cross-immunity.
In addition, H5N1 avian flu virus changes into a form, if a pandemic occurs, "people living on Earth is infected by all" (He) has said. Humans, infection and lighter, while repeatedly to gain immunity, "the elderly and young people will become very ill from low immunity." Pandemic of avian flu for a consequence management, "the biggest risk factors involved in the lives of employees and their families," he said.
In Abakan airport because of the threat of avian flu to strengthen control of flights
January 29, 2009 16:44
In Khakasia epidemiologists because of the spread of avian flu have increased monitoring of flights at the airport Abakan.
As reported on 29 January, the press service of Rospotrebnadzor control of the country, experts have increased the sanitary-quarantine control at the airport Abakan. Particular attention will be given to checking the passengers, who will come from disadvantaged countries for bird flu: China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, Turkey, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Djibouti, Nigeria, Laos, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Pakistan. We epidemiologists there is special equipment that is remotely identify individuals with elevated body temperature. In doing so, the responsibility for the health of passengers will suffer not only doctors, but tour operators who have not warned their customers about the risk of contracting avian influenza in the country.
At this step epidemiologists went on behalf of Gennady Onishchenko. Chief Sanitary Doctor instructed to strengthen the health and quarantine controls at airports, where there are regular and charter communication with China and other disadvantaged regions for bird flu. In addition, doctors will be more influenza vaccine for the condition of all the staff of enterprises and poultry farms.
In Khakasia epidemiologists because of the spread of avian flu have increased monitoring of flights at the airport Abakan.
As reported on 29 January, the press service of Rospotrebnadzor control of the country, experts have increased the sanitary-quarantine control at the airport Abakan. Particular attention will be given to checking the passengers, who will come from disadvantaged countries for bird flu: China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, Turkey, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Djibouti, Nigeria, Laos, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Pakistan. We epidemiologists there is special equipment that is remotely identify individuals with elevated body temperature. In doing so, the responsibility for the health of passengers will suffer not only doctors, but tour operators who have not warned their customers about the risk of contracting avian influenza in the country.
At this step epidemiologists went on behalf of Gennady Onishchenko. Chief Sanitary Doctor instructed to strengthen the health and quarantine controls at airports, where there are regular and charter communication with China and other disadvantaged regions for bird flu. In addition, doctors will be more influenza vaccine for the condition of all the staff of enterprises and poultry farms.
Onyshchenko Yuzhnouralsk Rospotrebnadzor warned about the dangers of bird flu
29.01.09 08:41
Chelyabinsk, January 29 (New Region, Alla Alexandrova) - Another disturbing reports from China will force employees Yuzhnouralsk Rospotrebnadzor strengthen measures to prevent the spread of avian influenza virus in the region.
According to «new region», the Office of the Russian Rospotrebnadzor, in January of this year, a situation aggravated by the incidence of people caused by influenza A/H5N1 virus: It was reported 3 cases of avian flu among humans in China, including 2 - fatal, and 1 case in Egypt.
According to Chinese news agency Xinhua, in the last 3 weeks in China have been laboratory confirmed 6 cases of influenza A/H5N1 in humans, 4 of them - fatal.
Recent cases of avian influenza in humans were recorded in parts of China, not bordering on the territory of the Russian Federation.
In connection with the aggravated situation of dangerous infections, Chief Sanitary Doctor of Russia has circulated a letter in which a region to take all necessary measures.
The document, in particular the need for immunization of poultry farms vaccine. In addition, such businesses in the event of a hotbed of avian influenza need to strengthen the monitoring of anti-epidemic measures: the introduction of the morning filter work in «closed», the provision of clothing and personal protective equipment, disinfection.
In addition, you want to tighten control over the health of «bird» markets. Citizens traveling in troubled regions, as well as tour operators will be informed of the risk of infection, as well as on measures of personal prophylaxis. In airports where there are regular charter communication with the disadvantaged areas would also be strengthened sanitary and quarantine control.
According to «new region» press-secretary of the Chelyabinsk region Rospotrebnadzor Svetlana Ozhered, the situation in the southern Urals is under control. Novosibirsk State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology in the Southern Region provides the results of weekly monitoring of the situation with a dangerous virus.
In addition, all necessary preventive measures. For example, in connection with recent incidents ornitoza in Kurgan and Orenburg regions, the South Urals are checking markets, where trade in live birds. I checked the owners of the documents and veterinary certificates for the goods.
Tour Operators region regularly provide information on epidobstanovke in the world.
Staff recommended travel agencies to inform travelers about the epidemiological situation in the country to which they migrate.
In addition, the airport staff of sanitary-quarantine posts met aircraft, arriving from troubled regions, requesting information on the status of the passengers on board.
Chelyabinsk, January 29 (New Region, Alla Alexandrova) - Another disturbing reports from China will force employees Yuzhnouralsk Rospotrebnadzor strengthen measures to prevent the spread of avian influenza virus in the region.
According to «new region», the Office of the Russian Rospotrebnadzor, in January of this year, a situation aggravated by the incidence of people caused by influenza A/H5N1 virus: It was reported 3 cases of avian flu among humans in China, including 2 - fatal, and 1 case in Egypt.
According to Chinese news agency Xinhua, in the last 3 weeks in China have been laboratory confirmed 6 cases of influenza A/H5N1 in humans, 4 of them - fatal.
Recent cases of avian influenza in humans were recorded in parts of China, not bordering on the territory of the Russian Federation.
In connection with the aggravated situation of dangerous infections, Chief Sanitary Doctor of Russia has circulated a letter in which a region to take all necessary measures.
The document, in particular the need for immunization of poultry farms vaccine. In addition, such businesses in the event of a hotbed of avian influenza need to strengthen the monitoring of anti-epidemic measures: the introduction of the morning filter work in «closed», the provision of clothing and personal protective equipment, disinfection.
In addition, you want to tighten control over the health of «bird» markets. Citizens traveling in troubled regions, as well as tour operators will be informed of the risk of infection, as well as on measures of personal prophylaxis. In airports where there are regular charter communication with the disadvantaged areas would also be strengthened sanitary and quarantine control.
According to «new region» press-secretary of the Chelyabinsk region Rospotrebnadzor Svetlana Ozhered, the situation in the southern Urals is under control. Novosibirsk State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology in the Southern Region provides the results of weekly monitoring of the situation with a dangerous virus.
In addition, all necessary preventive measures. For example, in connection with recent incidents ornitoza in Kurgan and Orenburg regions, the South Urals are checking markets, where trade in live birds. I checked the owners of the documents and veterinary certificates for the goods.
Tour Operators region regularly provide information on epidobstanovke in the world.
Staff recommended travel agencies to inform travelers about the epidemiological situation in the country to which they migrate.
In addition, the airport staff of sanitary-quarantine posts met aircraft, arriving from troubled regions, requesting information on the status of the passengers on board.
Delegations who come to the SCO, will check on the "bird flu"
29.01.2009
All the delegations that will travel to the summit of the voice of the members of the SCO will have to undergo health checks for the "bird flu", transmits the correspondent Nakanune.RU of the meeting with Governor of Sverdlovsk region, on the preparations for the summit.
Delegations will be checked at the airport "Koltsovo", this must be prepared to the appropriate service the airport. This was at the meeting said Oleg Gusev, responsible for preparations for the summit.
Also, he said, because of special relations with Russia, some delegations would be settled separately from the others - it is the representatives of China, who will stay at the hotel "Oktyabrskaya", and the representatives of Kazakhstan, which is housed in the hotel "Ukraine".
The SCO Summit, let's place this summer in Yekaterinburg and will gather 14 heads of states.
29.01.2009 | Ekaterinburg | Sergey Hurbatov
Print version
All the delegations that will travel to the summit of the voice of the members of the SCO will have to undergo health checks for the "bird flu", transmits the correspondent Nakanune.RU of the meeting with Governor of Sverdlovsk region, on the preparations for the summit.
Delegations will be checked at the airport "Koltsovo", this must be prepared to the appropriate service the airport. This was at the meeting said Oleg Gusev, responsible for preparations for the summit.
Also, he said, because of special relations with Russia, some delegations would be settled separately from the others - it is the representatives of China, who will stay at the hotel "Oktyabrskaya", and the representatives of Kazakhstan, which is housed in the hotel "Ukraine".
The SCO Summit, let's place this summer in Yekaterinburg and will gather 14 heads of states.
29.01.2009 | Ekaterinburg | Sergey Hurbatov
Print version
China's new outbreak of bird flu to step up security measures to guard against Russia
Release Date: 2009-1-29
Russia consumer protection and public supervision of the Board of the Information Services Department said Wednesday, the council Secretary Gennady Onishchenko instructed around the branch to strengthen measures to prevent hazardous to human avian influenza (H5N1) virus entry, because China's newly the outbreak of several cases of bird flu deaths.
Bulletin said: "The health and quarantine stations have been instructed and the Russian border with China to ensure passage station disinfection drugs, personal protective drugs reserve, but also have the equipment found in long-distance from China and other disadvantaged countries to combat bird flu coming hyperthermia persons. "
Notice that at the same time, avian influenza prevention and treatment to citizens of disadvantaged areas should be from the tourism companies to obtain reliable health epidemic situation and likely to be infected with bird flu risk, it should also be access to individuals, as well as the prevention of morbidity when the measures required information.
Russia consumer protection and public supervision of the Board of the Information Services Department said Wednesday, the council Secretary Gennady Onishchenko instructed around the branch to strengthen measures to prevent hazardous to human avian influenza (H5N1) virus entry, because China's newly the outbreak of several cases of bird flu deaths.
Bulletin said: "The health and quarantine stations have been instructed and the Russian border with China to ensure passage station disinfection drugs, personal protective drugs reserve, but also have the equipment found in long-distance from China and other disadvantaged countries to combat bird flu coming hyperthermia persons. "
Notice that at the same time, avian influenza prevention and treatment to citizens of disadvantaged areas should be from the tourism companies to obtain reliable health epidemic situation and likely to be infected with bird flu risk, it should also be access to individuals, as well as the prevention of morbidity when the measures required information.
Japanese researchers develop all-round flu vaccine
1/29/09
TOKYO (AFP) – Researchers in Japan said Thursday they had developed a flu vaccine that works against multiple viruses and could prevent a deadly pandemic of bird flu mutations.
The research team has tested the vaccine on mice implanted with human genes, confirming that it works even if flu viruses mutate, according to Tetsuya Uchida, researcher at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases.
Currently flu vaccines use a protein covering the surface of viruses but the protein frequently mutates to make the vaccines ineffective.
The newly developed vaccine is based on common types of protein inside the bodies of flu viruses as they rarely change, Uchida told AFP. The viruses used are the Soviet-A and Hongkong-A along with the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu.
"We expect this will also be effective on new variations" of the much-feared H5N1 strain in addition to conventional flu viruses, he said.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) warns that millions of people could die worldwide if the avian influenza virus mutates into a form easily transmissible among humans.
Uchida said it would likely take several years to put the vaccine to practical use as the research team needs to confirm the vaccine's safety with further experiments on mice and possibly larger animals before tests on humans.
The study is being jointly conducted by researchers from the national institute, Hokkaido University, Saitama Medical University and NOF Corp., a chemicals company based in Tokyo.
Similar vaccination studies on attacking the inside of the virus body rather than its surface are also under way abroad, including at Oxford University in Britain, Uchida said.
About 250 people have died of avian flu since 2003, according to the WHO.
Indonesia is the country worst-hit by avian influenza with 115 deaths officially recorded since 2003. Five people have fallen victim in China this year.
Human victims consist mostly of people in close contact with sick birds. There is no evidence so far that the deadly strain of bird flu has mutated into a form that could set off a pandemic.
hat-tip AlaskaDenise
TOKYO (AFP) – Researchers in Japan said Thursday they had developed a flu vaccine that works against multiple viruses and could prevent a deadly pandemic of bird flu mutations.
The research team has tested the vaccine on mice implanted with human genes, confirming that it works even if flu viruses mutate, according to Tetsuya Uchida, researcher at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases.
Currently flu vaccines use a protein covering the surface of viruses but the protein frequently mutates to make the vaccines ineffective.
The newly developed vaccine is based on common types of protein inside the bodies of flu viruses as they rarely change, Uchida told AFP. The viruses used are the Soviet-A and Hongkong-A along with the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu.
"We expect this will also be effective on new variations" of the much-feared H5N1 strain in addition to conventional flu viruses, he said.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) warns that millions of people could die worldwide if the avian influenza virus mutates into a form easily transmissible among humans.
Uchida said it would likely take several years to put the vaccine to practical use as the research team needs to confirm the vaccine's safety with further experiments on mice and possibly larger animals before tests on humans.
The study is being jointly conducted by researchers from the national institute, Hokkaido University, Saitama Medical University and NOF Corp., a chemicals company based in Tokyo.
Similar vaccination studies on attacking the inside of the virus body rather than its surface are also under way abroad, including at Oxford University in Britain, Uchida said.
About 250 people have died of avian flu since 2003, according to the WHO.
Indonesia is the country worst-hit by avian influenza with 115 deaths officially recorded since 2003. Five people have fallen victim in China this year.
Human victims consist mostly of people in close contact with sick birds. There is no evidence so far that the deadly strain of bird flu has mutated into a form that could set off a pandemic.
hat-tip AlaskaDenise
Recombinomics: Confirmed H5N1 Case in Indonesia Lacks Poultry Link
Commentary
The above comments describe the latest lab confirmed H5N1 case in Indonesia (see updated map). The absence of a poultry link is cause for concern. The level of H5N1 in poultry in Indonesia is high, but the lack of OIE reports since 2006 from Indonesia limits specifics.
Similarly, the delays in reporting confirmed cases by Indonesia and WHO complicates analysis in humans. The WHO has not issued a situation update for confirmed cases, and since Indonesia has imposed a news blackout on cases, the updates lag disease onset dates by weeks or months.
Moreover, misdiagnosis of cases in clusters has also contributed to a serous undercounts. The Ministry of Health has denied index cases diagnosed as lung inflammation, dengue fever, or typhus, even after family members have been H5N1 confirmed.
The latest lab confirmation of a patient without known poultry exposure suggests the undercount in Indonesia is markedly higher than reported confirmed or suspect cases.
Media Links
Confirmed H5N1 Case in Indonesia Lacks Poultry Link
Recombinomics Commentary 09:11
January 29, 2009
The above comments describe the latest lab confirmed H5N1 case in Indonesia (see updated map). The absence of a poultry link is cause for concern. The level of H5N1 in poultry in Indonesia is high, but the lack of OIE reports since 2006 from Indonesia limits specifics.
Similarly, the delays in reporting confirmed cases by Indonesia and WHO complicates analysis in humans. The WHO has not issued a situation update for confirmed cases, and since Indonesia has imposed a news blackout on cases, the updates lag disease onset dates by weeks or months.
Moreover, misdiagnosis of cases in clusters has also contributed to a serous undercounts. The Ministry of Health has denied index cases diagnosed as lung inflammation, dengue fever, or typhus, even after family members have been H5N1 confirmed.
The latest lab confirmation of a patient without known poultry exposure suggests the undercount in Indonesia is markedly higher than reported confirmed or suspect cases.
Media Links
Maros Child Suspect Bird Flu
On Thursday, 29-01-2009
Officials Livestock Service Destroyed 79 tails of Poultry
MAKASSAR, BKM -- A child from the Village of Bado-bado, the Bagimange Village, Kecamatan Mandai, Kabupaten Maros, Ansar (5) was forced to be isolated in the ferns building of RSUP Dr Wahidin Sudirohusodo.
He received the maintenance in the special room of the bird flu patient since Tuesday night (27/1). He was expected (suspect) was attacked by the virus avian influenza (AI). Chairman Tim of the Handling and the Control of Bird Flu of RSUP Dr Wahidin Sudirohusodo, Dr Khaliq Saleh said, Ansar was carried to the hospital because of experiencing the high fever, 39 levels celcius.
Also the cough, runny nose and breathless. This condition was experienced by him along with the death 13 tails of chickens belonging to his parents.
Three tails were stated positive H5N1, said Dr Khaliq ended checked the condition for the patient in the ferns building, on Wednesday (28/1).
To confirm whether Ansar positive infected with the AI virus or not, the RS side has taken the sample of blood and his mucus. The sample has been sent to the laboratory in Jakarta. Director Pelayanan Medik and Operational RS Wahidin this hoped, next week results could have been known.
- snip -
hat-tip Dutchy
Officials Livestock Service Destroyed 79 tails of Poultry
MAKASSAR, BKM -- A child from the Village of Bado-bado, the Bagimange Village, Kecamatan Mandai, Kabupaten Maros, Ansar (5) was forced to be isolated in the ferns building of RSUP Dr Wahidin Sudirohusodo.
He received the maintenance in the special room of the bird flu patient since Tuesday night (27/1). He was expected (suspect) was attacked by the virus avian influenza (AI). Chairman Tim of the Handling and the Control of Bird Flu of RSUP Dr Wahidin Sudirohusodo, Dr Khaliq Saleh said, Ansar was carried to the hospital because of experiencing the high fever, 39 levels celcius.
Also the cough, runny nose and breathless. This condition was experienced by him along with the death 13 tails of chickens belonging to his parents.
Three tails were stated positive H5N1, said Dr Khaliq ended checked the condition for the patient in the ferns building, on Wednesday (28/1).
To confirm whether Ansar positive infected with the AI virus or not, the RS side has taken the sample of blood and his mucus. The sample has been sent to the laboratory in Jakarta. Director Pelayanan Medik and Operational RS Wahidin this hoped, next week results could have been known.
- snip -
hat-tip Dutchy
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