The highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been detected in at least 55 countries in Asia, Europe, and Africa. This often fatal disease is of pressing concern because it can be transmitted from birds to humans, although such transmissions have been rare so far. Unfortunately, according to a Roundtable article in the November 2006 BioScience, the journal of the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS), critical information about incidence of the disease in wild birds--even the species of the infected bird--is often recorded inaccurately or not recorded at all. The deficiencies in data collection, the authors write, "can lead to unwarranted assumptions and conclusions that in turn affect public perceptions, practical control and management measures, and the disposition of resources."
Bird flu is typically studied by veterinarians and virologists. The article's authors, Mai Yasue, Chris J. Feare, Leon Bennun, and Wolfgang Fiedler, made use of the Aiwatch (avian influenza watch) e-mail forum to gather information for their article from sources worldwide. They describe several instances in which the species of an infected wild bird was incorrectly or inadequately recorded--sometimes just as "wild duck," for example--and others in which the bird's sex and age were misidentified. Likewise, reported details of the location and time of discovery of an infected bird often lack specificity, yet they are crucial for a good understanding of the virus's spread. Information about capture and sampling methods and other species in the vicinity of an infected bird has also often been inadequately described. The authors end their article with a plea for greater involvement by ornithologists and ecologists in H5N1 research and monitoring.
BioScience publishes commentary and peer-reviewed articles covering a wide range of biological fields, with a focus on "Organisms from Molecules to the Environment." The journal has been published since 1964. AIBS is an umbrella organization for professional scientific societies and organizations that are involved with biology. It represents some 200 member societies and organizations with a combined membership of about 250,000.
The complete list of research articles in the November issue of BioScience is as follows:
From Lilliput to Brobdingnag: Extending Models of Mycorrhizal Function across Scales. Nancy Collins Johnson and colleagues
Threats to Endangered Species in Canada. Oscar Venter, Nathalie N. Brodeur, Leah Nemiroff, Brenna Belland, Ivan J. Dolinsek, and James W. A.Grant
How Many Animals Do We Want to Save? The Many Ways of Setting Population Target Levels for Conservation. Eric W. Sanderson
The Epidemiology of H5N1 Avian Influenza in Wild Birds: Why We Need Better Ecological Data. Mai Yasue, Chris J. Feare, Leon Bennun, and Wolfgang Fiedler
Science and Economics in the Management of an Invasive Species. Porter Hoagland and Di Jin
Contact: Donna Royston
American Institute of Biological Sciences
понедельник, 20 июня 2011 г.
воскресенье, 19 июня 2011 г.
Bird Flu Has Infected 186 People Of Which 105 Have Died
Since 2003 186 people have become infected with bird flu (avian flu), specifically, the H5N1 virus strain. 105 of them have died. Here is a list of the countries:
Azerbajan
Cases - 7
Deaths - 5
Cambodia
Cases - 5
Deaths - 5
China
Cases - 16
Deaths - 11
Indonesia
Cases - 29
Deaths - 22
Iraq
Cases - 2
Deaths - 2
Thailand
Cases - 22
Deaths - 14
Turkey
Cases - 12
Deaths - 4
Vietnam
Cases - 93
Deaths - 42
Total
Cases - 186
Deaths - 105
A recent study may explain why so few humans have become infected, when compared to birds. The H5N1 virus needs to get deep down into the lungs in order to make the human ill. For a human to become infected he/she needs to be in constant contact with sick birds so that a cluster of viruses can build up. Even when a human does get ill, the infection is so deep within the lungs that hardly any viruses are expelled when the patient coughs - making it much harder to infect other humans.
Hundreds of millions of birds have died of H5N1 infection since 2003.
Written by:
Azerbajan
Cases - 7
Deaths - 5
Cambodia
Cases - 5
Deaths - 5
China
Cases - 16
Deaths - 11
Indonesia
Cases - 29
Deaths - 22
Iraq
Cases - 2
Deaths - 2
Thailand
Cases - 22
Deaths - 14
Turkey
Cases - 12
Deaths - 4
Vietnam
Cases - 93
Deaths - 42
Total
Cases - 186
Deaths - 105
A recent study may explain why so few humans have become infected, when compared to birds. The H5N1 virus needs to get deep down into the lungs in order to make the human ill. For a human to become infected he/she needs to be in constant contact with sick birds so that a cluster of viruses can build up. Even when a human does get ill, the infection is so deep within the lungs that hardly any viruses are expelled when the patient coughs - making it much harder to infect other humans.
Hundreds of millions of birds have died of H5N1 infection since 2003.
Written by:
суббота, 18 июня 2011 г.
Avian Influenza In Poultry On Premises In East Of England
The Health Protection Agency continues to work closely with local and national veterinary colleagues following the announcement yesterday by the Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) that avian influenza had been found in poultry on two premises in the East of England.
Defra has today confirmed that the avian influenza virus present there is H6N1. The H6 virus type has been isolated in domestic poultry and wild birds in Europe over the last few years.
The finding has not affected the HPA's precautionary advice in this incident. We have advised that staff should use high levels of personal protective equipment to protect them from infection.
The Agency is monitoring the health of those exposed to the poultry and there continues to be no reports of any flu-like illness in this group, who have also been offered seasonal influenza vaccine, as a further precaution. GPs in Norfolk and Suffolk are also being made aware of the investigation, for information.
Avian influenza, or 'bird flu', is a contagious disease of birds caused by viruses that normally only infects wild birds and, rarely, other species including domestic poultry. There is no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission.
Dr Joe Kearney, Regional Director of the HPA in the East of England said: "The current level of risk to humans from avian flu is extremely low, and today's news from Defra does not change that. To date there has been no evidence that current avian influenza viruses have adapted to spread easily in humans."
Notes
There have been no cases linked to the consumption of properly cooked meat and eggs; for further guidance go to: food.uk
Further information on avian influenza can be found at the HPA website.
Further information on avian flu in poultry is available on the DEFRA website: defra.uk.
Health Protection Agency
Defra has today confirmed that the avian influenza virus present there is H6N1. The H6 virus type has been isolated in domestic poultry and wild birds in Europe over the last few years.
The finding has not affected the HPA's precautionary advice in this incident. We have advised that staff should use high levels of personal protective equipment to protect them from infection.
The Agency is monitoring the health of those exposed to the poultry and there continues to be no reports of any flu-like illness in this group, who have also been offered seasonal influenza vaccine, as a further precaution. GPs in Norfolk and Suffolk are also being made aware of the investigation, for information.
Avian influenza, or 'bird flu', is a contagious disease of birds caused by viruses that normally only infects wild birds and, rarely, other species including domestic poultry. There is no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission.
Dr Joe Kearney, Regional Director of the HPA in the East of England said: "The current level of risk to humans from avian flu is extremely low, and today's news from Defra does not change that. To date there has been no evidence that current avian influenza viruses have adapted to spread easily in humans."
Notes
There have been no cases linked to the consumption of properly cooked meat and eggs; for further guidance go to: food.uk
Further information on avian influenza can be found at the HPA website.
Further information on avian flu in poultry is available on the DEFRA website: defra.uk.
Health Protection Agency
пятница, 17 июня 2011 г.
GlaxoSmithKline's New Generation Flu Vaccine Shows A Significant Increase In Seroprotection Rate In The Over 65 Population
New data released today demonstrate significantly better immune responses in the age range 65 and above when vaccinated with GSK's new generation (adjuvanted) seasonal flu vaccine compared to a traditional seasonal flu vaccine. These new data are highly important, since the disease burden and death toll is highest among the elderly in each flu season. The data, presented at the Influenza Vaccines for the World (IVW) 2006 Congress, showed the seroprotection rate (90.5%) achieved by the new adjuvanted vaccine in the elderly to be more than 25% higher than that reported in the age matched comparator group. Moreover, it greatly exceeds the European licensing requirement for seroprotection, which requires at least 60% seroconversion independent of age (CHMP criterion). Encouraged by these excellent results, GSK has started a Phase III registration trial for the vaccine with 3500 patients across three countries in Europe* and in the US.
The candidate vaccine uses a proprietary novel adjuvant system to enhance the immune response in the older population resulting in similar levels of immune responses typically observed in young adults.
Lead investigator Dr Isabel Leroux-Roels from the Center for Vaccinology, Ghent University and Hospital said: "The immune response of the elderly can be significantly lower than in younger adults leaving them particularly vulnerable to the more serious complications of flu. There is a real need to strengthen the immune response of the population of 65 years and above. This can be achieved by combining antigen components of annual flu vaccine with GSK's novel adjuvant system."
Dr Philippe Monteyne, Head of Global Vaccine Development, GSK Biologicals said:
"These data highlight how GSK's new adjuvant system can be effectively used to enhance vaccine-induced immune responses. Our new vaccine increased the immune response in the elderly to levels comparable to that observed for traditional seasonal flu vaccine in younger adults. This promising new vaccine will build on our strong existing flu franchise."
High immune response with adjuvanted vaccines
Two hundred and seventy five people were involved in the trial which ran from Q3 2005 to Q2 2006 in Belgium. In the 65+ age range the adjuvanted vaccine elicited higher levels of antibodies (humoral response) compared to non adjuvanted traditional seasonal flu vaccine in the same population. It was also found to induce a higher cellular immune response to influenza in the elderly compared to the traditional vaccine. The vaccine was well tolerated throughout the study period and showed a safety profile which is comparable to the standard seasonal flu vaccine.
Phase III studies
In the wake of the encouraging results from this trial, a new multinational Phase III programme involving 3500 participants has recently commenced that sets out to confirm the findings from today's data. This pivotal Phase III immunogenicity trial will take place in three countries in Europe* as well as in the US. The results, expected in 2007 will form a significant part of the data package for file submission.
GSK, a leader in flu treatment and preparedness
GSK has an active research and development programme targeted at both seasonal and pandemic influenza and has recently committed over $2 billion to expand capacity for manufacturing flu vaccine and its anti-viral influenza treatment Relenza® (zanamivir for inhalation). In North America, GSK acquired a major influenza vaccine manufacturer, ID Biomedical Corporation in 2005.
GSK is one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and health care companies. GSK is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For company information visit: gsk.
The Phase III trial will be carried out in Belgium, Germany, Norway and the US.
GlaxoSmithKline
gsk
The candidate vaccine uses a proprietary novel adjuvant system to enhance the immune response in the older population resulting in similar levels of immune responses typically observed in young adults.
Lead investigator Dr Isabel Leroux-Roels from the Center for Vaccinology, Ghent University and Hospital said: "The immune response of the elderly can be significantly lower than in younger adults leaving them particularly vulnerable to the more serious complications of flu. There is a real need to strengthen the immune response of the population of 65 years and above. This can be achieved by combining antigen components of annual flu vaccine with GSK's novel adjuvant system."
Dr Philippe Monteyne, Head of Global Vaccine Development, GSK Biologicals said:
"These data highlight how GSK's new adjuvant system can be effectively used to enhance vaccine-induced immune responses. Our new vaccine increased the immune response in the elderly to levels comparable to that observed for traditional seasonal flu vaccine in younger adults. This promising new vaccine will build on our strong existing flu franchise."
High immune response with adjuvanted vaccines
Two hundred and seventy five people were involved in the trial which ran from Q3 2005 to Q2 2006 in Belgium. In the 65+ age range the adjuvanted vaccine elicited higher levels of antibodies (humoral response) compared to non adjuvanted traditional seasonal flu vaccine in the same population. It was also found to induce a higher cellular immune response to influenza in the elderly compared to the traditional vaccine. The vaccine was well tolerated throughout the study period and showed a safety profile which is comparable to the standard seasonal flu vaccine.
Phase III studies
In the wake of the encouraging results from this trial, a new multinational Phase III programme involving 3500 participants has recently commenced that sets out to confirm the findings from today's data. This pivotal Phase III immunogenicity trial will take place in three countries in Europe* as well as in the US. The results, expected in 2007 will form a significant part of the data package for file submission.
GSK, a leader in flu treatment and preparedness
GSK has an active research and development programme targeted at both seasonal and pandemic influenza and has recently committed over $2 billion to expand capacity for manufacturing flu vaccine and its anti-viral influenza treatment Relenza® (zanamivir for inhalation). In North America, GSK acquired a major influenza vaccine manufacturer, ID Biomedical Corporation in 2005.
GSK is one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and health care companies. GSK is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For company information visit: gsk.
The Phase III trial will be carried out in Belgium, Germany, Norway and the US.
GlaxoSmithKline
gsk
четверг, 16 июня 2011 г.
Bird flu in Greece, Agriculture Ministry Confirms - Dead birds found in Croatia
According to the Greek Agriculture Ministry, a turkey in a Greek island was infected with a strain of the bird flu virus in the Island of Oinouses. Samples have been sent to a lab in the UK to identify the strain of virus. Officials say they know it is of the H5 strain, but don't know yet whether it is the H5N1. The most lethal one is the H5N1 strain that was found in Turkey and Romania last week.
Some dead birds have been found in Croatia. The EU has ordered that urgent tests be carried out.
In Romania, authorities have been culling thousands of birds. The area immediately surrounding where the infected birds were found has been placed in quarantine.
As birds migrate from Russia to North Africa they pass through eastern Europe and Turkey.
No imports of poultry from Romania and Turkey are now allowed into the European Union. The EU says it will take 'drastic measures' if it has to.
Written by:
Editor:
Some dead birds have been found in Croatia. The EU has ordered that urgent tests be carried out.
In Romania, authorities have been culling thousands of birds. The area immediately surrounding where the infected birds were found has been placed in quarantine.
As birds migrate from Russia to North Africa they pass through eastern Europe and Turkey.
No imports of poultry from Romania and Turkey are now allowed into the European Union. The EU says it will take 'drastic measures' if it has to.
Written by:
Editor:
среда, 15 июня 2011 г.
Cleveland Clinic Recognizes New Strategies For Creating Vaccines For Avian Flu As A Top Ten Medical Innovation For 2009
Novavax, Inc.
(Nasdaq: NVAX) announced that its strategy for treating avian flu
through genetically-engineered virus-like particles (VLPs) was ranked as a
Top Ten Innovation at Cleveland Clinic 6th Annual Medical Innovation
Summit.
Novavax, Inc. believes its vaccine initiatives have the potential to
impact millions of people affected by infectious diseases each year by
creating novel vaccines that can be produced in a cost effective and timely
manner within the same scalable manufacturing platform worldwide.
VLPs are recombinant structures that mimic the size and shape of a
virus but lack genetic material and are therefore incapable of replication.
Because they resemble actual infectious particles presenting proteins in
the same conformation as on the wild-type virus, they are able to induce
potent immune responses. Novavax's VLP vaccine may be differentiated from
other influenza vaccines in several ways. First, it includes three viral
proteins (incorporated in the vaccine as three separate VLPs) important for
inducing a broad immune response including two surface proteins,
hemmaglutinin ("HA") and neuraminidase ("NA"), and a core matrix protein,
M1. The HA protein induces antibody that neutralizes or blocks the growth
of the virus; NA induces antibodies that prevent cell-to-cell transmission
of virus down the respiratory tract, potentially reducing the severity of
influenza disease; and cell mediated immune responses to M1 may lead to
destruction of cells already infected. Further, the vaccine is made in cell
culture rather than eggs, which permits an exact genetic match to the flu
strains causing illness since there is no requirement for adapting the
vaccine to grow in eggs.
"We are proud to have our technology recognized by the Cleveland Clinic
as one of the top ten medical innovations of 2009," said Dr. Rahul Singhvi,
President and CEO of Novavax. "VLPs represent a very promising approach to
preventing the spread of influenza as we recently demonstrated with the
announcement of favorable results in a Phase IIa human clinical trial of
our VLP based pandemic influenza vaccine.
Novavax's Novel Manufacturing Approach
Novavax's manufacturing process makes it possible to potentially
produce and distribute a vaccine matched to a pandemic strain in time to
interrupt and/or halt a pandemic. Novavax's influenza VLPs are produced in
insect cell culture, utilizing a manufacturing process that consists
entirely of disposable, ready-to-use equipment. Current yields are 7 to 10
times higher than that of traditional egg-based or mammalian cell culture
manufacturing. Because the Novavax process involves recombinant technology
and does not require a live influenza virus, vaccine can be manufactured
within 10 to 12 weeks of identification of a pandemic strain, approximately
half the time required to manufacture egg-based vaccines. This new
manufacturing approach permits rapid commissioning at a fraction of the
cost of traditional, egg-based manufacturing facilities. VLP-based vaccines
may represent an effective and affordable component of a pandemic solution
for countries that do not currently have in-border pandemic vaccine
production.
About Novavax
Novavax, Inc. is a clinical stage biotechnology company, creating novel
vaccines to address a broad range of infectious diseases worldwide using
advanced proprietary virus-like particle (VLP) technology. The Company
produces these VLP based, potent, recombinant vaccines utilizing new, and
efficient manufacturing approaches. Additional information about Novavax is
available at novavax and in the Company's various filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Forward Looking Statement
Statements herein relating to future development results and
performance, conditions or strategies and other matters, including
expectations regarding product and clinical developments, are
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act. Novavax cautions that these forward-looking
statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties,
which change over time. Factors that may cause actual results to differ
materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements or
historical experience include risks relating to the early stage of
Novavax's product candidates under development; current results may not be
predictive of future pandemic results, results of our seasonal influenza
vaccine or any other vaccine that we may develop; further testing is
required before regulatory approval can be applied for and the FDA may not
approve a vaccine even if further trial results are similar to those
disclosed previously by the company; uncertainties relating to clinical
trials, including possible delays in initiating or completing the trials
and safety and efficacy results; dependence on the efforts of third
parties; competition for clinical resources and patient enrollment from
drug candidates in development by other companies with greater resources
and visibility; and risks that we may lack the financial resources and
access to capital to fund our operations including further clinical trials.
Further information on the factors and risks that could affect Novavax's
business, financial conditions and results of operations, is contained in
Novavax's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which
are available at sec. These forward-looking statements speak
only as of the date of this press release, and Novavax assumes no duty to
update forward-looking statements.
Novavax, Inc.
novavax
(Nasdaq: NVAX) announced that its strategy for treating avian flu
through genetically-engineered virus-like particles (VLPs) was ranked as a
Top Ten Innovation at Cleveland Clinic 6th Annual Medical Innovation
Summit.
Novavax, Inc. believes its vaccine initiatives have the potential to
impact millions of people affected by infectious diseases each year by
creating novel vaccines that can be produced in a cost effective and timely
manner within the same scalable manufacturing platform worldwide.
VLPs are recombinant structures that mimic the size and shape of a
virus but lack genetic material and are therefore incapable of replication.
Because they resemble actual infectious particles presenting proteins in
the same conformation as on the wild-type virus, they are able to induce
potent immune responses. Novavax's VLP vaccine may be differentiated from
other influenza vaccines in several ways. First, it includes three viral
proteins (incorporated in the vaccine as three separate VLPs) important for
inducing a broad immune response including two surface proteins,
hemmaglutinin ("HA") and neuraminidase ("NA"), and a core matrix protein,
M1. The HA protein induces antibody that neutralizes or blocks the growth
of the virus; NA induces antibodies that prevent cell-to-cell transmission
of virus down the respiratory tract, potentially reducing the severity of
influenza disease; and cell mediated immune responses to M1 may lead to
destruction of cells already infected. Further, the vaccine is made in cell
culture rather than eggs, which permits an exact genetic match to the flu
strains causing illness since there is no requirement for adapting the
vaccine to grow in eggs.
"We are proud to have our technology recognized by the Cleveland Clinic
as one of the top ten medical innovations of 2009," said Dr. Rahul Singhvi,
President and CEO of Novavax. "VLPs represent a very promising approach to
preventing the spread of influenza as we recently demonstrated with the
announcement of favorable results in a Phase IIa human clinical trial of
our VLP based pandemic influenza vaccine.
Novavax's Novel Manufacturing Approach
Novavax's manufacturing process makes it possible to potentially
produce and distribute a vaccine matched to a pandemic strain in time to
interrupt and/or halt a pandemic. Novavax's influenza VLPs are produced in
insect cell culture, utilizing a manufacturing process that consists
entirely of disposable, ready-to-use equipment. Current yields are 7 to 10
times higher than that of traditional egg-based or mammalian cell culture
manufacturing. Because the Novavax process involves recombinant technology
and does not require a live influenza virus, vaccine can be manufactured
within 10 to 12 weeks of identification of a pandemic strain, approximately
half the time required to manufacture egg-based vaccines. This new
manufacturing approach permits rapid commissioning at a fraction of the
cost of traditional, egg-based manufacturing facilities. VLP-based vaccines
may represent an effective and affordable component of a pandemic solution
for countries that do not currently have in-border pandemic vaccine
production.
About Novavax
Novavax, Inc. is a clinical stage biotechnology company, creating novel
vaccines to address a broad range of infectious diseases worldwide using
advanced proprietary virus-like particle (VLP) technology. The Company
produces these VLP based, potent, recombinant vaccines utilizing new, and
efficient manufacturing approaches. Additional information about Novavax is
available at novavax and in the Company's various filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Forward Looking Statement
Statements herein relating to future development results and
performance, conditions or strategies and other matters, including
expectations regarding product and clinical developments, are
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act. Novavax cautions that these forward-looking
statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties,
which change over time. Factors that may cause actual results to differ
materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements or
historical experience include risks relating to the early stage of
Novavax's product candidates under development; current results may not be
predictive of future pandemic results, results of our seasonal influenza
vaccine or any other vaccine that we may develop; further testing is
required before regulatory approval can be applied for and the FDA may not
approve a vaccine even if further trial results are similar to those
disclosed previously by the company; uncertainties relating to clinical
trials, including possible delays in initiating or completing the trials
and safety and efficacy results; dependence on the efforts of third
parties; competition for clinical resources and patient enrollment from
drug candidates in development by other companies with greater resources
and visibility; and risks that we may lack the financial resources and
access to capital to fund our operations including further clinical trials.
Further information on the factors and risks that could affect Novavax's
business, financial conditions and results of operations, is contained in
Novavax's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which
are available at sec. These forward-looking statements speak
only as of the date of this press release, and Novavax assumes no duty to
update forward-looking statements.
Novavax, Inc.
novavax
вторник, 14 июня 2011 г.
Influenza Virus In Norway Resistant Against Oseltamivir (Tamiflu(R))
Influenza activity in Norway is still low, but is expected to increase in the coming weeks. Thirty-eight of 58 studied influenza viruses (66 %) are resistant against the anti-flu drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu®). The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) is asking physicians who are treating patients for influenza to be aware of this when deciding on medicinal treatment.
The dominant influenza virus this winter, A(H1N1) gives milder symptoms than A(H3N2) which dominated last winter. Influenza vaccination is recommended for people in the high risk-groups as they can become seriously ill with the virus. Anti-influenza medicines are intended mainly for patients who have become seriously ill with influenza and for those with underlying illnesses.
NIPH collects influenza viruses from the whole country for closer inspection. Some of these viruses are forwarded to the WHO collaboration centre in London for further study and resistance tests. The dominant virus this season - in Norway and the rest of Europe - is influenza A (H1N1) Solomon Islands. Thirty-eight out of 58 A(H1N1) viruses from different patients and from different parts of the country in the period November- January have shown a mutation that indicates high-grade resistance against oseltamivir. The virus is sensitive to other anti-influenza medicines. This year's virus is expected to produce milder symptoms than normal.
Characterisation of some of the A (H1N1) virus stems in Norway show resemblance to those in the vaccine. This good match means that the vaccine will be effective against this year's dominant virus. Now it is important that those who want to be vaccinated do so before the main influenza outbreak strikes.
Norway takes part in international collaboration to monitor and advise on infectious diseases through the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, (ECDC), the influenza monitoring network EISS and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
View drug information on Tamiflu capsule.
The dominant influenza virus this winter, A(H1N1) gives milder symptoms than A(H3N2) which dominated last winter. Influenza vaccination is recommended for people in the high risk-groups as they can become seriously ill with the virus. Anti-influenza medicines are intended mainly for patients who have become seriously ill with influenza and for those with underlying illnesses.
NIPH collects influenza viruses from the whole country for closer inspection. Some of these viruses are forwarded to the WHO collaboration centre in London for further study and resistance tests. The dominant virus this season - in Norway and the rest of Europe - is influenza A (H1N1) Solomon Islands. Thirty-eight out of 58 A(H1N1) viruses from different patients and from different parts of the country in the period November- January have shown a mutation that indicates high-grade resistance against oseltamivir. The virus is sensitive to other anti-influenza medicines. This year's virus is expected to produce milder symptoms than normal.
Characterisation of some of the A (H1N1) virus stems in Norway show resemblance to those in the vaccine. This good match means that the vaccine will be effective against this year's dominant virus. Now it is important that those who want to be vaccinated do so before the main influenza outbreak strikes.
Norway takes part in international collaboration to monitor and advise on infectious diseases through the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, (ECDC), the influenza monitoring network EISS and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
View drug information on Tamiflu capsule.
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