influenza virus

Getting wise to the influenza virus' tricks

harminka — Mon, 05 May 2008 04:59:55 -0500

Influenza is currently a grave concern for governments and health organisations around the world. The worry is the potential for highly virulent bird flu strains, such as H5N1, to develop the ability to infect humans easily.

Scientists discover the travel patterns of seasonal flu

harminka — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:56:45 -0500

Outbreaks of the most common type of influenza virus, A (H3N2), are seeded by viruses that originate in East and Southeast Asia and migrate around the world, new research has found. This discovery may help to further improve flu vaccines and make the evolution of the virus more predictable.

Protein enhances lethality of influenza virus

harminka — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:41:53 -0500

Often called the most devastating epidemic in the recorded history of the world, the 1918 influenza virus pandemic was responsible for more than 40 million deaths across the globe. The incredible lethality of the 1918 flu strain is not well understood, despite having been under intense scrutiny for many years.

Tamiflu survives sewage treatment

harminka — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 07:33:00 -0500

Swedish researchers have discovered that oseltamivir (Tamiflu); an antiviral drug used to prevent and mitigate influenza infections is not removed or degraded during normal sewage treatment.

key differences between bird flu and human flu

harminka — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 02:35:04 -0500

Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have found key features that distinguish influenza viruses found in birds from those that infect humans.

Progress in infectious disease surveillance but gaps remain

harminka — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 11:07:30 -0500

The key to control any pandemic is early identification and rapid response. Although considerable progress has been made in global infectious disease surveillance, few scientists are optimistic that an effective early warning system is in place, and many gaps remain, according to researchers at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health.

Tamiflu use in pandemic to save costs to society

harminka — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 10:42:29 -0500

Treatment with the oral antiviral Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and prophylaxis for people exposed to infected patients could be one of the most cost-effective strategies for reducing illness and death during an influenza pandemic.

WHO data confirms low level of resistance to Tamiflu

harminka — Wed, 09 May 2007 10:10:06 -0500

New data published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed a low frequency of resistance to Tamiflu (oseltamivir) over 3 influenza seasons (2003 - 2006)1.

Study uncovers a lethal secret of 1918 influenza virus

harminka — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 02:53:09 -0600

Antivirals effectively curb influenza virus

harminka — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 01:33:49 -0600