Biosecurity Briefing: The Lancet released a study describing the factors associated with H5N1 case fatality in Indonesia; those factors include symptoms, time to hospitalization, time to initiation of antiviral treatment, and several others.
Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:44:27 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/2008/2008-08-25-indonesiastudyh5n1mortality.html
Biosecurity Briefing: On August 15, 2008, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a report indicating that clinical samples from the 2008 influenza season provide evidence of a high degree of resistance to the antiviral drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu).
Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:32:51 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/2008/2008-08-25-whooseltamivirresistsohemisphere.html
Biosecurity Briefing: The UN FAO reported H5N1 in Nigeria due to strain that is genetically different from strains in previous outbreaks in Africa. Also, Biota Holdings Limited issued a press release on second-generation of the antiviral drug zanamavir.
Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:56:58 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/2008/2008-08-18-h5n1africa2ndgenzanamivir.html
Biosecurity Briefing: According to a ScienceDaily report, a new study by Yale University School of Medicine researchers "could explain why the cold and flu virus symptoms that are often mild and transient in non-smokers can seriously sicken smokers."
Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:43:48 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/2008/2008-08-04-cigaretteworsensflu.html
Biosecurity Briefing: The August issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) includes two articles on the impact and implications of bacterial co-infection, and resulting pneumonia in influenza patients, during a pandemic.
Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:32:28 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/2008/2008-08-04-bacterialpneumoniaflu.html
Biosecurity Briefing: The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently released a report, about the status of state and local planning for pandemic influenza.
Biosecurity Briefing: HHS and DHS released the final version of Guidance on Allocating and Targeting Pandemic Influenza Vaccine. This final document includes input from stakeholders and the public.
Biosecurity Briefing: Annals of the Academy of Medicine of Singapore published an article by Indonesia Health Minister providing account of events that led the Indonesian government to cease its practice of sharing viral isolates with WHO.
Biosecurity Briefing: The American Health Lawyers Association (AHLA) recently released the document, Community Pan-Flu Preparedness: A Checklist of Key Legal Issues for Healthcare Providers.
Biosecurity Briefing: A study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases argues that limited quantities of pandemic influenza vaccine should be reserved for those who are expected to experience the greatest years of life lost: healthy young adults.
Biosecurity Briefing: The HHS Agency for Healthcare, Research and Quality (AHRQ) released a report on the issues and resources associated with Home Healthcare During a Pandemic.
Biosecurity Briefing: Roche U.S.A. announced the introduction of a flexible program to allow U.S. businesses to purchase and maintain access to their own stockpiles of the antiviral drug Tamiflu (oseltamivir) for use during an influenza pandemic.
Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:53:16 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/2008/2008-06-27-mkrtamifluprogcorpstock.html
Biosecurity Briefing: Australia approves H5N1 vaccine Panvax, developed by CSL Limited; Sanofi to donate to WHO stockpile to help poor countries; HHS contracts to develop low-cost rapid diagnostic tests for influenza.
Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:38:02 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/2008/2008-06-20-h5n1newsaustraliasanofihhs.html
Biosecurity Briefing: NEJM published results from a randomized clinical trial of whole virus H5N1 avian flu vac that was produced in cell-culture. Two doses of unadjuvanted vac produced evidence of a positive immune response for 3 clades of H5N1 virus.
Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:19:16 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/2008/2008-06-20-positiveresultsh5n1vac.html
Biosecurity Briefing: A Reuters article describes Indonesia's new avian influenza reporting policy, which will now require human cases of avian influenza to be reported once every six months rather than immediately upon recognition.
Fri, 13 Jun 2008 21:00:17 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/international_biosecurity/2008-06-13-indonesiareducesh5n1reportng.html
Biosecurity Briefing: The Times of India reported that a company in India has imported 200 doses of Biothrax, the only anthrax vaccine approved by the FDA. Xinhua News Agency reported that neighboring Bangladesh is expanding its bird flu prep programs.
Fri, 13 Jun 2008 20:45:39 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/international_biosecurity/2008-06-13-indiaanthrxvacbangladesh.html
Biosecurity Briefing: PNAS published a study by Belser and colleagues which provides evidence that a recent H7 strain of avian influenza A virus has acquired a trait which could allow for increased disease transmission among humans.
Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:11:13 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/2008/2008-06-06-h7flugrtrabilinfecthumans.html
Biosecurity Briefing: HHS issued a Notice of Availability of Draft Guidances to Assist in Preparation for an Influenza Pandemic. These new draft guidance documents are for review and comment by the public and "interested stakeholders."
Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:48:50 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/govt_response/2008-06-06-hhspanfludraftguide.html
Biosecurity Briefing: On May 16, 2008, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a document that discusses options for human use of H5N1 influenza vaccine as well as options for use of the WHO H5N1 vaccine stockpile.
Fri, 23 May 2008 19:55:13 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/countrmeasr_dev/2008/2008-05-23-whoguideh5n1vacstock.html
Biosecurity Briefing: The Associated Press reported that GlaxoSmithKline has been granted a marketing license by the European Commission to begin distributing the first "pre-pandemic" influenza vaccine to hit the European market.
Fri, 23 May 2008 19:40:34 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/countrmeasr_dev/2008/2008-05-23-eulicenseprepanfluvac.html
Biosecurity Briefing: On May 16, 2008, health officials from Indonesia announced that the republic would begin sharing information about H5N1 cases with a new global database known as the Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data (GISAID).
Fri, 16 May 2008 19:44:05 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/2008/2008-05-16-indonesiashareh5n1gisaid.html
Biosecurity Briefing: OSHA of the U.S. Department of Labor released proposed guidance on workplace stockpiling of facemasks and respirators for pandemic influenza and is seeking public comment.
Fri, 16 May 2008 19:32:26 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/govt_response/2008-05-16-oshapubcomntworkstckpile.html
Biosecurity Briefing: CIDRAP reported that the HHS purchased $192.5 million worth of clade 2.2 H5N1 vaccine from sanofi pasteur. The purchase will provide 6.4 to 38.5 million doses of the vaccine to the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS).
Mon, 05 May 2008 16:20:01 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/govt_response/2008-05-02-hhsspends192mh5n1vaccine.html
Biosecurity Briefing: CIDRAP News reports the HHS stated that Indonesia appears to be linking the restriction of work at a U.S. laboratory in Jakarta with the ongoing international H5N1 virus-sharing impasse.
Biosecurity Briefing: The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) released draft planning guidance to help state, local, tribal, and territorial health departments address the needs of at-risk populations during a flu pandemic.
Biosecurity Briefing: Government-appointed experts backed a proposal for pre-pandemic vaccination of healthcare workers in Japan. S. Korea officials confirmed H5N1 at a fourth farm in Yeongam. Russia has had recent avian outbreaks in the Primorye region.
Biosecurity Briefing: Reuters reported that Iomai, a small Gaithersburg, MD, biotechnology company, received "U.S. [Department of Health and Human Services] approval..." to begin phase II clinical trials testing "a bird flu skin patch on more people."
Biosecurity Briefing: Lancet published results of investigations by Chinese health officials into 2007 H5N1 family cluster in Jiangsu Province, China. WHO confirmed the presence of H5N1 in two additional members of a family cluster in Peshawar, Pakistan.
Biosecurity Briefing: Sinovac, a China-based biopharmaceutical company, announced approval of a production license in China for its human vaccine Panflu. Reuters reported that Vietnam has begun clinical trials on a human vaccine for H5N1 virus, VN1194.
Biosecurity Briefing: A new study published by Emerging Infectious Diseases describes the specific "ways in which different socioeconomic and racial/ethnic groups might fare differently in an influenza pandemic..."
Biosecurity Briefing: Agence France Presse reported that U.S. officials have created in Thailand's eastern province of Chachoengsao, a "regional" stockpile of personal protective and diagnostic equipment protective materials for battling avian influenza.
Fri, 28 Mar 2008 21:02:28 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/2008/2008-03-28-usaidstockequipthailand.html
Biosecurity Briefing: On March 17, 2008, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued Pandemic Planning Update V, which outlines progress made in U.S. pandemic influenza planning.
Fri, 28 Mar 2008 20:52:03 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/2008/2008-03-28-hhs5thpanplanupdate.html
Biosecurity Briefing: Reuters reported Vietnam will begin human trials of an H5N1 avian influenza vaccine. In related news, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization warns that the H5N1 virus could "mutate and cause a human influenza pandemic."
Mon, 24 Mar 2008 17:43:23 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/international_biosecurity/2008-03-21-vieth5n1vactestindonesia.html
Biosecurity Briefing: In January 2007, the CDC began a series of exercises to determine the types of challenges that may arise in the early stages of an influenza pandemic. CIDRAP News reported the CDC recently held the fourth exercise in this series.
Mon, 24 Mar 2008 17:41:10 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/2008/2008-03-21-cdchhspanfluexercises.html
Biosecurity Briefing: The Federal Guidance to Assist States in Improving State-Level Pandemic Influenza Operating Plans was released, detailing progress made by states as well as the need for better guidance from the U.S. Government.
Mon, 24 Mar 2008 17:38:57 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/govt_response/2008-03-21-hhsguidestatepanfluop.html
Biosecurity Briefing: On February 28, 2008, the National Governors Association, Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) released an interim report to evaluate the level of pandemic preparedness of states.
Mon, 17 Mar 2008 17:52:08 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/2008/2008-03-14-natlgovassocevalpanprep.html
Biosecurity Briefing: On December 1, 2007, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released an online "tool-kit" titled, Take the Lead: Working Together to Prepare Now, on its pandemic planning website.
Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:26:32 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/content/2007/2007-12-07-hhsreleasespanflupreptoolkit.html
Biosecurity Briefing: As reported in a CIDRAP News story, Indonesian health officials have announced that H5N1 virus samples sent by the Health Ministry to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention "showed no signs of dangerous mutations."
Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:14:56 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/2008/2008-03-07-indonesiah5n1samplescdc.html
Biosecurity Briefing: Bans lifted on poultry sales in West Bengal, India, following serious H5N1 flu outbreak in South Asia. Also, anthrax infection was confirmed in cows in West Bengal and two neighboring states.
Tue, 19 Feb 2008 16:27:33 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/2008/2008-02-15-anthraxbirdflubengal.html
Biosecurity Briefing: USDA OIG says USDA "has made significant progress in developing or revising policies and procedures to detect, contain, and eradicate highly pathogenic avian influenza," but problems remain with ability to manage, report outbreaks.
Tue, 19 Feb 2008 16:14:37 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/2008/2008-02-15-usdaoigrecommendpanplan.html
Biosecurity Briefing: CDC reports seasonal flu more severe than last 2 years and a mismatch between this year's vac and two of predominant strains of flu. Europe reports unexpected emergence of H1N1 virus with a decreased sensitivity to oseltamivir.
Fri, 15 Feb 2008 14:00:00 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/2008/2008-02-15-fluvacmismatchresisteurope.html
Biosecurity Briefing: One of the topics covered during a recent flu conference was a Cambodian study that tested 674 people exposed to H5N1 and found that seven of those who were tested already had antibodies for the virus, suggesting previous infection.
Fri, 01 Feb 2008 20:40:24 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/2008/2008-02-01-studyincreaseh5n1subclinicalinfections.html
Biosecurity Briefing: Canadian Press reports the WHO has created an electronic database to track the H5N1 influenza viruses provided to international laboratories. Also, authorities in Bengal, India admitted falling behind in H5N1 battle.
Mon, 28 Jan 2008 14:53:24 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/2008/2008-01-25-whotracksh5n1samplesindiacntrl.html
Biosecurity Briefing: PATH, an international, non-profit organization, announced a $39 million award from the Bill & Melinda Gates foundation to launch the rapid development of flu vaccines and "innovative vaccine technologies" for developing nations.
Tue, 22 Jan 2008 13:35:13 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/2008/2008-01-18-gatesawardsmillionsfluvac.html
Biosecurity Briefing: The ACLU identifies concerns about a perceived shift in pandemic planning strategy in the post-Sept 11 era which, according to the ACLU, has moved away from a public health focus and toward a law enforcement/nat'l security focus.
Tue, 22 Jan 2008 13:30:03 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/2008/2008-01-18-acluadvocateschanges.html
Biosecurity Briefing: The Writing Committee of the Second WHO Consultation on Clinical Aspects of Human Infection with Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus published a review article in the NEJM providing updated info on human cases of H5N1 infection.
Tue, 22 Jan 2008 13:22:11 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/2008/2008-01-18-whoupdateh5n1infections.html
Biosecurity Briefing: BBAcambis has reported positive results from phase I clinical trials of its new flu vaccine. The FDA announced that "a test that simultaneously detects and identifies 12 specific respiratory viruses" has been cleared for marketing.
Fri, 11 Jan 2008 19:57:39 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/2008/2008-01-11-fluvactrials.html
Biosecurity Briefing: On December 18, 2007, the Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported that health officials in Indonesia are investigating "several recent cases" of H5N1 avian influenza in humans who did not have contact with infected birds.
Fri, 21 Dec 2007 19:46:54 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/international_biosecurity/content/2007-12-21-indonesiainvestigatesoutbreakh5n1humans.html
Biosecurity Briefing: A donation of $406 million pledged by 9 countries was announced at the New Delhi International Ministerial Conference on Avian and Pandemic Influenza. Also, Reuters reports EU expected to extend ban on poultry and eggs from Poland.
Fri, 14 Dec 2007 20:48:38 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/content/2007/2007-12-14-nationspledge406millionflueubanpoultrypoland.html
Biosecurity Briefing: HHS Secretary Leavitt announced that his department is making available an additional $75 million for "states, territories and four metropolitan areas to help strengthen their capacity to respond to a pandemic influenza outbreak."
Wed, 12 Dec 2007 19:02:05 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/content/2007/2007-08-31-hhsannouncesextra75milpanprep.html
Biosecurity Briefing: On November 26, 2007, Reuters reported that last week's talks held by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva failed to yield an agreement from the Republic of Indonesia to resume sharing H5N1 influenza virus samples.
Mon, 03 Dec 2007 18:02:04 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/content/2007/2007-11-30-noagreewhoindonesiashareh5n1samples.html
Biosecurity Briefing: CIDRAP at the Univ. of Minnesota reported that the FDA's Pediatric Advisory Committee voted to recommend stronger language on warning labels of two antiviral flu medications, oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu) and zanamivir.
Mon, 03 Dec 2007 17:51:12 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/content/2007/2007-11-30-fdavotesstrongerwarnfludrugs.html
Biosecurity Briefing: Commentaries raise questions about results published in a JAMA study that "now serves as the core support for the recent CDC recommendations for the use of community mitigation strategies...during a[n influenza] pandemic."
Mon, 03 Dec 2007 17:40:09 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/content/2007/2007-11-30-studysupportcdcfluluguidancequestioned.html
Biosecurity Briefing: CID released the results of a prospective cohort study which found that when the antiviral drug oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu) was administered to adult patients hospitalized with influenza, mortality was decreased by almost 80%.
Fri, 16 Nov 2007 20:50:24 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/content/2007/2007-11-16-studyoseltamivirreducesmortality.html
Biosecurity Briefing: The AP reported a confirmed outbreak of avian flu in turkeys on a farm in eastern England. AP reported plans to slaughter all poultry on the farm--some 5,000 geese, ducks, and turkeys.
Fri, 16 Nov 2007 20:35:32 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/content/2007/2007-11-16-h5n1outbreakukturkeysconfirmed.html
Biosecurity Briefing: HHS released a progress report "highlighting some of the major activities that the Department has undertaken" since the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) was signed in to law in December 2006.
Fri, 02 Nov 2007 20:39:09 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/content/2007/2007-11-02-hhspanall-hazprepactprogressrprt.html
Biosecurity Briefing: A study published online by the journal PLoS Pathogens on October 19, 2007, provides experimental evidence that influenza virus transmission is affected by relative humidity and temperature.
Fri, 26 Oct 2007 21:38:20 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/content/2007/2007-10-26-studyflutransreducedcntrlhumiditytemp.html
Biosecurity Briefing: On October 23, 2007, the U.S. government released "Draft Guidance on Allocating and Targeting Pandemic Influenza Vaccine" to provide states and communities with guidance on who should be vaccinated.
Fri, 26 Oct 2007 21:31:14 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/content/2007/2007-10-26-fedgovdraftguidpanvacpubcomments.html
Biosecurity Briefing: TFAH and AAP announced a new report titled Pandemic Influenza: Warning, Children At-Risk. According to the press release, there are critical gaps in U.S. pandemic flu planning efforts for treating and caring for children.
Fri, 19 Oct 2007 20:41:03 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/content/2007/2007-10-19-rprtfindsgapsplanchildrenflupan.html
Biosecurity Briefing: A new study provides experimental evidence that a genetic change in a single amino acid may contribute to the ability of H5N1 to infect mammals, and may be key to eventual development of efficient human-to-human transmission.
Fri, 12 Oct 2007 20:24:07 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/content/2007/2007-10-12-studygeneticchangeleadtoh5n1transmission.html
Biosecurity Briefing: PLoS One published a study online raising questions about potential for influenza A viruses to develop resistance to antiviral drug oseltamivir, due to the presence of the active form of the drug found in post-treatment waste water.
Fri, 05 Oct 2007 19:36:03 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/content/2007/2007-10-05-scientistsconcernedantiviralstreatwastewtr.html
Biosecurity Briefing: Results from a clinical study published in the journal Lancet on September 29, 2007, provides new evidence that the H5N1 influenza virus can be transmitted across the placenta in pregnant woman to infect the fetus.
Mon, 01 Oct 2007 14:32:23 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/content/2007/2007-09-28-studyh5n1placentafetus.html
Biosecurity Briefing: On September 18, 2007, Yahoo! News reported that an H5N1 influenza outbreak among farm-raised ducks in the Panyu district of Guangdong, China "has been brought under effective control," according to agricultural officials in China.
Biosecurity Briefing: Sanofi pasteur announced new data indicating that its "new investigational H5N1 vaccine...achieved a high immune response at the lowest dose of H5N1 antigen reported to date."
Biosecurity Briefing: A study in BMC Public Health reviews the progress that European Union member states and the non-EU countries of the Global Health Security Action Group have made toward establishing pandemic vaccine priority groups.
Biosecurity Briefing: The Institute of Medicine released a report entitled Preparing for an Influenza Pandemic: Personal Protective Equipment for Healthcare Workers, completed at the request of the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory.
Biosecurity Briefing: The GAO released a review of federal pandemic influenza preparedness activities entitled Influenza Pandemic: Further Efforts are Needed to Ensure Clearer Federal Leadership Roles and an Effective National Strategy.
Biosecurity Briefing: UK government's Home Office Mass Fatalities Section released Planning for a Possible Influenza Pandemic -- A Framework for Planners Preparing to Manage Death.
Biosecurity Briefing: In July 2007, the Journal of Urban Health published a study that finds that most pandemic preparedness plans fail to consider the specific challenges of distributing influenza drugs and vaccines to hard-to-reach populations.
Fri, 24 Aug 2007 18:46:00 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/community_engage/content/2007-08-24-studyexamsraisefluvachardreachpop.html
Biosecurity Briefing: A paper published PLoS Medicine suggests that infection rates during a flu pandemic could be reduced if more people were vaccinated with lower doses of vaccine rather than if a lesser number of people are vaccinated with full doses.
Biosecurity Briefing: According to a Science Daily report, scientists in the United Kingdom believe that, in addition to the H5N1 influenza strain, a second strain of avian flu (H7N2) may pose a significant threat to humans.
Fri, 22 Jun 2007 20:53:54 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/content/2007/2007-06-22-scientistsfearh7n2fluthreat.html
Biosecurity Briefing: The World Health Organization reported that the United Kingdom Health Protection Agency has confirmed that 4 individuals exposed to infected poultry in Conwy, Wales have tested positive for infection with the H7N2 influenza virus.
Fri, 01 Jun 2007 20:53:38 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/content/2007/2007-06-01-waleshumanh7n2infection.html
Biosecurity Briefing: A study released in Public Library of Science (PloS) Medicine found that antibodies derived from humans who have recovered from infection with H5N1 influenza can be successful in treating and preventing H5N1 infection in mice.
Fri, 01 Jun 2007 20:52:40 GMThttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/biosecurity_briefing/archive/avian_pandemic_flu/content/2007/2007-06-01-studyhumanantibodiesprotectmice.html
