Are we ready for pandemic influenza H5N1?
Influenza is an important annual respiratory pathogen with the potential to cause infrequent pandemics with devastating consequences. The establishment of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 as an endemic virus within duck and poultry populations in Asia increases the possibility of adaptation to humans and the threat of an emerging pandemic. Vaccines are the mainstay of prophylaxis against influenza, but there are technical and safety issues that must be overcome in the development of vaccines in order to combat avian influenza. Pandemic preparedness plans have been developed by national and international authorities but may be compromised by a lack of readily available interventions.
Stephenson
Iain
I
Leicester Royal Infirmary, Level 6, Windsor Building, Leicester, LE1 5WW, UK. iain.stephenson@uhl-tr.nhs.uk
D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / Q000235:genetics; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011200:Poultry
D007252:Influenza Vaccines