I tried to find information concerning the Avian flu. It’s an ocean of articles out there (Google: 2.950.000 articles). Finally I decided that there are some papers from where we can extract all the information we need.
The articles are:
Q&A: Avian flu
The growing number of cases of avian influenza, or bird flu, in Asian countries is causing increasing concern. But what is the disease and what are the possible risks to humans?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3422839.stm
WHO plans bird flu drug stockpile
World Health Organisation officials are in talks about building up a stockpile of drugs for poorer countries to fight a possible bird flu pandemic.
Tamiflu, made by Swiss firm Roche, works by reducing the symptoms and the risk of a carrier passing on the virus.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4135246.stm
Also, there is an announcement made by ROCHE (Basel, 29 January 2004 ) with details for TAMIFLU. Roche's oral flu drug Tamiflu could be effective in treating avian influenza.
Roche confirms that Tamiflu (oseltamivir) could be effective in treating the recent outbreak of the avian influenza in the Far East. Tamiflu was tested in a pre-clinical setting against a wide range of influenza virus strains. Despite the lack of clinical data, the findings provide reassurance that Tamiflu can be expected to be active against any influenza virus neuraminidase enzyme subtype, including the H5N1 strain. This strain is associated with the recent outbreak of avian influenza in Asia.
The WHO in its interim recommendations for the protection of persons in contact with animals potentially infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses, advises that ‘oseltamivir be readily available for the treatment of suspected H5N1 respiratory infections in cullers and farm workers involved in the mass culling’*.
The whole announcement is here:
http://www.roche.com/inv-update-2004-01-29
