Influenza pandemic

Late Start of Flu Season Could Catch Patients Unawares

Of the 98 influenza isolates made this year, 44 have been identified as influenza A H3N2, which is linked to increased morbidity and mortality. Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is being recommended worldwide as one of the most effective drugs for both the treatment and prevention of all strains of influenza types A and B.

WHO Probes Bird Flu Cluster: Signs of Human Transmission Sought in Indonesian Deaths

JAKARTA, Indonesia, May 18 -- An international team of health investigators arrived on the Indonesian island of Sumatra on Thursday to determine whether an unusually large cluster of human bird flu cases indicates that the highly lethal virus has mutated into a form easily spread among people.

Bird flu drug now legal in SA

Tamiflu, the anti-viral drug used to combat the H5N1 strain of avian influenza, which has already reached Africa and is predicted to reach South Africa in six months to a year, has officially been registered for use in the country.

Flu Vaccine Could Have Far Reach Under Best Circumstances

GENEVA, Nov. 8 -- Data presented on Tuesday at an international conference on bird flu indicate that drug manufacturers could produce enough influenza vaccine starting sometime in 2008 to protect between a quarter and half the world's population over the course of a year, should a new and dangerous strain of flu virus emerge.

East Africa likely next stop for spread of avian flu

Experts are warning that avian flu is almost certainly on its way to East Africa, arriving on the backs of some of the millions of birds making their annual winter migration from Europe, where the outbreak has been confirmed in several countries.