Bird Flu Update

Robert W. Griffith, MD

Though things appear to have quietened down, occasional outbreaks of H5Ni avian flu have occurred in birds in almost all continents of the world except the Americas. The feared mutation into a form that passes easily from person to person has not occurred (yet). Human cases have been rare - about 290 reported, with 172 of them being fatal.

Countries have been active in making their plans for a possible human pandemic. The latest development in the USA is approval by the FDA of a vaccine manufactured by Sanofi-Pasteur. This will be stockpiled against the day when it's needed. Unfortunately it only gives protection in 54% of volunteers after 2 shots 4 weeks apart. And there aren't enough doses to vaccinate everyone . . . but some strategists are trying to work out the priorities protection, just in case. And the CDC is telling us that, in the event of a pandemic, to avoid crowds and close contact, rather than rely on face masks.

Source
HealthandAge Blog

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