| |
|
|
KillerFlix
|
from AP on 10/14
The bird flu virus that infected a Vietnamese girl was resistant to the main drug that's being stockpiled in case of a pandemic, a sign that it's important to keep a second drug on hand as well, a researcher said Friday.
He said the finding was no reason to panic.
The drug in question, Tamiflu, still attacks "the vast majority of the viruses out there," said Yoshihiro Kawaoka of the University of Tokyo and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The drug, produced by Swiss- based Roche Holding AG, is in short supply as nations around the world try to stock up on it in case of a global flu pandemic.
Kawaoka said the case of resistance in the 14-year-old girl is "only one case, and whether that condition was something unique we don't know."
He also said it's not surprising to see some resistance to Tamiflu, because that had also happened with human flu.
The girl's Tamiflu-resistant virus was susceptible to another drug, Relenza, Kawaoka said.
He and colleagues report the case in the Oct. 20 issue of the journal Nature, which released the study Friday. The researchers conclude that it might be useful to stockpile Relenza as well as Tamiflu.
Both drugs are being stockpiled by the U.S. government.
The girl, who had been caring for an older brother with the disease, had been receiving low doses of Tamiflu as a preventive measure when the virus was isolated in late February. She later fell ill and was given higher doses. She recovered and left the hospital in March.
Kawaoka said it's not clear whether the low preventive dose had encouraged the emergence of drug resistance.
Dr. William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University called the report important and said it shows the importance of watching for drug resistance.
"It is not unusual to find the occasional resistant virus," he said. "It could be just a biological oddity, or we could see this more frequently.
"This is a blip on the radar screen, and it surely does mean that we have to keep the radar operative," Schaffner said. "We have to keep testing more viruses."
|
Bangkok Women : Meet Sensual Bangkok Women
Posted on: 7:58 pm on Oct. 14, 2005
|
|
Brocher
|
I heard on NPR on Thursday (so it must be true, right?) one "expert" state that the TamiFlu anti-viral drug wouldn't be much cop against the current "pandemic" strain of bird flu because this varient was closer to what devasted us in 1918 and should be classed as a Storm Virus.
Apparently, a pandemic Storm Virus attacks healthy people who have a strong immune system so it's not just the old, weak folk like me who are at risk! 
The virus replicates so fast in your system that your (healthy) immune system over-reacts. It turns out that the flu viral proteins look something like proteins in our bodies that tell certain cells to make TNF-alpha, which is a chemical that directs destruction of tumor cells, among other things. The virus basically hijacks the radio system and gives out an order to all units to attack indiscriminately. 
Instead of me cuttin' n' pastin' loads stuff why don't you pop over to this URL where you will find more supporting data (including the extract above) :
http://www.curevents.com/vb/showthread.php?t=19894
Cheerio from a vegetarian
PS: I hope you can't get it from carrots!
|
Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 4:26 am on Oct. 15, 2005
|
|
Evil Penivel
|
I'm in BKK right now and my doctor prescribed Tamiflu "just in case" as a preventative measure. He thought I'd have trouble getting the prescription filled because of shortages in the NYC area, but the first drug store I walked into had it (pharmacist told it was because the neighborhood had a large Asian population). Anyway, I've been taking my capsules morning and night I usually get a flu shot every year (couldn't last year because of the rationing) and find the flu shots stave off the common cold as well.
|
Bangkok Girls : Meet Sexy Bangkok Girls
Posted on: 1:00 am on Oct. 20, 2005
|
|
Mel Gibson
|
Quote from Brocher :
Cheerio from a vegetarian
PS: I hope you can't get it from carrots!
AHHHH actually you are VERY unlikely to get Avarian Flu from cooked poultry,, the easiest way is similiar to the way "normal" flu is transmitted through human populations,, close personal contact,,,,,,,,,,,
SO,, no kissing any chickens and definately no kissing DaffyDuck.
Actually if a duck had sneezed on that carrot you are more likely to catch the flu than eating the cooked dead duck ( apologies for the dead duck bit Daffy)
|
Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 10:16 am on Oct. 20, 2005
|
|
|
|
China Sailor
|
Just do not go to Romania Duck, I hear that they are slaughtering your type there.
Better yet, avoid the EU entirely....
BTW: Armageddon's comin' to a theartre near you!
|
Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 12:36 pm on Oct. 20, 2005
|
|
expatchuck
|
CS:
Could this be our opportunity?
Armageddon's comin' to a theartre near you!
|
Thai Girls : Meet Active Thai Girls
Posted on: 12:16 am on Oct. 21, 2005
|
|
Hermanolobo
|
Quote: from DaffyDuck on 12:12 am on Oct. 21, 2005
Quaaaaaaack!
kop kop kop!
I have never seen any Ducks at Anfield in the Spion Kop but I have at the Oval near Vauxhall.
|
Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 3:32 am on Oct. 21, 2005
|
|
Yurune
|
1. What is avian influenza?
Avian influenza, or "Avian Flu" or “Bird Flu” is a
contagious disease caused by the H5N1 virus – a
type of influenza A – that normally infects only birds.
For unknown reasons, domestic poultry flocks are
especially vulnerable to this viral infection and the
recent incidences in Indonesia and Vietnam are
examples of how the Avian Flu can rapidly reach
epidemic proportions in domestic fowl.
2. What are the symptoms in humans?
The initial symptoms of avian flu are similar to those of
other influenza viruses, including fever, headache,
muscle pain, runny nose, cough and sore throat.
However, avian flu can result in high fever, chest
infection, respiratory failure, multi-organ failure, and
death. The most consistent symptoms include fever
(>38°C or >100.4°F) and a respiratory syndrome
including a non-productive cough and sore throat.
3. What should I do if I have flu symptoms?
If you have symptoms of influenza, consult a doctor and
wear a mask while in public to prevent spreading the
disease. Do not attend school or work.
4. Is treatment available?
Avian flu is generally more severe than ordinary flu, and
patients may require hospital care. Some anti-viral
drugs may be effective in treating the condition.
However, these drugs should be used carefully under a
doctor's supervision, as they may cause adverse side
effects. Neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir and
zanimivir) have been licensed for the prevention and
treatment of human influenza in some countries, and
may be effective, depending upon the causative strain.
5. How can I tell the difference between having avian flu and SARS?
You cannot differentiate between avian flu and SARS by
symptoms alone. Confirmation of diagnosis will depend
on laboratory tests on clinical samples from the patient.
6. Should I be worried about catching the Avian Flu?
No travel advisories exist against travel to any country
because of Avian Influenza. Nonetheless, strict infection
control procedures should be adopted.
where applicable to minimize droplet transmission. These include:
§ Avoid coming into contact with live poultry or birds
when traveling to affected
Countries
§ Washing your hands regularly
§ Avoiding overly crowded areas whenever possible
§ Seeking medical attention if you develop flu symptoms after returning from the affected countries
7. Who is susceptible to contracting the disease?
People in close contact with poultry are more
susceptible to contracting avian flu. The elderly, children
and people with chronic illness have a higher risk of
developing complications such as bronchitis and
pneumonia.
8. Should I begin taking antiviral medications such as
Tamiflu if I'm planning a visit to the countries affected by
bird flu? Is Tamiflu available in Thailand?
NO. There is no need for taking antiviral if traveling to
those countries at this time. Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is
available in Thailand. Risk of exposure and the decision
to take a drug like Tamiflu, which, as yet, has no proven
role for preventing human H5N1 infections, must be
determined on a case-by-case basis.
9. Is there a vaccine to protect humans from H5N1 virus?
No. The vaccines currently available will not protect
against disease caused by the H5N1 strain in humans. A
prototype H5N1 vaccine is presently being developed by
leading vaccine manufacturers. Part of the challenges
faced in developing an effective vaccine is the ability of
the virus to mutate such that the vaccines developed
for the current strain becomes ineffective for the next
(mutated) strain.
10. Can the influenza vaccine (“flu” shot) prevent avian
flu?
Influenza vaccine cannot prevent avian flu as the
vaccine was meant for human influenza. However, the
vaccine can help reduce the chance of complications and
hospitalization from influenza; hence it is recommended
for the elderly and patients with chronic cardiac or
respiratory diseases.
11. How does bird flu spread?
Infected birds shed flu virus in their saliva, nasal
secretions, and feces. Susceptible birds become infected
when they have contact with contaminated excretions
or surfaces that are contaminated with excretions. It is
believed that most cases of bird flu infection in humans
have resulted from contact with infected poultry or
contaminated surfaces.
12. What is the risk to humans from bird flu?
The risk of H5N1 is considered low. There is a possible
risk to people who have contact with infected birds or
surfaces that have been contaminated with excretions
from infected birds. The current outbreak of avian
influenza A (H5N1) among poultry in Asia is an example
of a massive bird flu outbreak that has caused very few
human infections and deaths.
13. What are the travel recommendations regarding the
H5N1 bird flu outbreak in Asia?
The U.S. CDC-Atlanta currently advises that travelers to
countries in Asia with known outbreaks of influenza A
(H5N1) avoid poultry farms, contact with animals in live
food markets, and any surfaces that appear to be
contaminated with feces from poultry or other animals.
For more information about travel recommendations to
Indonesia and Southeast Asia, visit the CDC-Atlanta
website at
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/other/avian_flu_indonesia.htm and at
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/seasia.htm#country
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/other/avian_flu_indonesia.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/seasia.htm#country
14. Is it safe to eat poultry and eggs?
There have been no reported human cases contracted
avian influenza from poultry or egg consumption.
Nevertheless, best practices during handling of raw
poultry meat and usual recommended cooking practices
for poultry products should be followed to lower the risk
of common bacterial diseases spread by poor handling
and cooking techniques. Eggs from infected poultry
could also be contaminated with the virus and therefore
care should be taken in handling shell eggs or raw egg
products. Recommended good hygienic practices to
avoid spreading of the virus through food (adapted from
the World Health Organization 5 Keys to safer food) :
§ Separate raw meat from cooked or ready-to-eat
foods to avoid contamination:
Do not use the same chopping board or the same knife.
Do not handle both raw and cooked foods without
washing your hands in between and do not place
cooked meat back on the same plate or surface it was
on before cooking.
§ Do not use raw or soft-boiled eggs in food
preparations that will not be heat treated/cooked.
§ Keep clean and wash your hands: after handling
frozen or thawed raw chicken or eggs, wash thoroughly
with soap your hands, surfaces and utensils that have
been in contact with the raw meat.
§ Cook thoroughly: Thorough cooking of poultry meat
will inactivate the viruses. Either ensure that the poultry
meat reaches 70°C (160°F) or that the meat is not pink.
[Note: USDA/FSIS recommends 180 degrees Fahrenheit
for whole turkey/chicken, thighs or wings and 170
degrees Fahrenheit for chicken and turkey breasts]. Egg
yolks should not be runny or liquid.
15. What precautions should I take if I live in an area
affected by bird flu?
The spread of bird flu in affected areas can normally be
prevented.
§ People should avoid contact with chickens, ducks or
other poultry and their droppings.
§ Children are at higher risk because they may play
where poultry are found. Teach your children the
following basic guidelines:
o Avoid contact with any birds, their feathers, feces and
other waste.
o Do not keep birds as pets.
o Wash hands with soap and water after any contact.
§ Do not transport live or dead chickens, ducks or other
poultry from one place to another even if you think your
birds are healthy.
§ Handling of poultry in affected areas should be done
within the area without transporting them to other
areas.
§ Do not prepare poultry from affected areas as food
for your family or animals. The slaughter and
preparation of such birds for food is dangerous.
If you unintentionally come into contact with poultry in an affected area, such as touching the bird's body, touching its feces or other animal dirt, or walking on soil contaminated with poultry feces:
§ Wash your hands well with soap and water after each contact;
§ Remove your shoes outside the house and clean them of all dirt; and
§ Check your temperature for 7 days at least once daily. If you develop a high temperature (>37.5°C or (>99.5°F), visit a doctor or the nearest health care facility immediately.
16. What measures should schools and nurseries take?
Schools and nurseries should prevent children from coming into contact with birds and their droppings. Educate children not to feed pigeons or other birds. If children have been in contact with birds or poultry, they should wash their hands thoroughly with liquid soap and water.
17. What is the current situation in Indonesia Philippines and Thailand regarding Avian Influenza? Is this an Epidemic? Updated October 20, 2005
Indonesia:
There have been four fatal cases of avian influenza (AI) in Indonesia. The presence of AI in these four caseswas confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta and the WHO-affiliated lab in Hong Kong. There are a number of other cases currently under investigation. Although some of these fatalities occurred within one family there is no evidence that the AI virus has acquired the ability to be transmitted human-to-human.
Philippines:
The Philippines is free from any highly pathogenic avian influenza. Tests on samples from ducks in a small isolated farm in Calumpit, Bulacan (60km/37.5 miles north of Manila) that were initially suspected to be infected in July, 2005 turned were negative.
The Bureau of Animal Industry announced that routine surveillance measures will continue to boost the country’s drive to maintain AI-free status.
Thailand:
There has been a fatal case of avian influenza reported on 20 October, 2005. This person lived in Kanchanaburi and had been in contact with dead chicken infected with H5N1.
Currently, Thailand has announced 6 provinces in the central region to be the avian flu surveillance zones. They are: 1) Kamphaengphet 2) Nakhonpathom
3) Suphanburi 4) Chainat 5) Ayutthaya 6) Kanchanaburi
Not my take on it, but the official line issued today
|
Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 3:57 am on Oct. 21, 2005
|
|
| |
|
