Avian Flu Virus Becoming More Resistant To Drugs

A new study released from the University of Colorado at Boulder indicates that the H5N1 avian flu virus is mutating and becoming more resistant to certain types of antiviral drugs.

The avian flu, an Influenza A subtype dubbed H5N1, is evolving a resistance to a group of antiviral drugs known as adamantanes, one of two classes of antiviral drugs used to prevent and treat flu symptoms, said CU-Boulder doctoral student Andrew Hill, lead study author.

The rise of resistance to adamantanes -- which include the nonprescription drugs amantadine and rimantadane -- appears to be linked to Chinese farmers adding the drugs to chicken feed as a flu preventative, according to a 2008 paper by researchers from China Agricultural University, said Hill.

While the popular vaccine of choice Tamiflu still offers some protection, there is growing concern that H5N1 could soon adapt to resist that as well.

There is some good news to report. Human H5N1 infections did decline from 2007-2008.

Despite the recent fatal case of avian flu in Beijing, overall avian flu cases in humans worldwide have decreased 55%, from 88 to 40, from 2007 to 2008, according to GIDEON Online, the largest online database of infectious disease information for medical professionals. Human deaths from avian flu worldwide declined from 59 to 30 (49%), from 2007 to 2008.

Despite the drop in human cases, it is important to remember that H5N1 is continuing to evolve in dangerous ways and a global pandemic remains a growing concern.

A little over a year ago, Charlie Rose held a panel discussion with some of the top minds in health, biology and infectious diseases including Ray Kurzweil, Inventor/Author, "The Singularity is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology"; Nils Daulaire, President, Global Health Council; Jeffery Taubenberger , Chief of Molecular Pathology Department, Armded Forces Institute of Pathology; Irwin Redlener, Director, National Center for Disaster Preparedness, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University; Anthony Fauci, Director, National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases. The video provides some great discussion, and will give you some broad insight into the ongoing battle to prepare the world for a potential flu pandemic.

via prweb
sciencedaily

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