Experts Say New Bird Flu Strain Vaccine may Take Months

Developing a vaccine for the new H7N9 strain of bird flu could take many months, say US public health experts.

Chinese authorities had confirmed 38 human cases of H7N9 avian influenza as of Thursday evening after announcing nearly two weeks ago that they had found the strain in humans for the first time.

Avian Influenza / Bird Flu-Causes-Symptoms-Treatment- FAQs
Bird flu (avian influenza/avian flu) is a disease caused by an influenza virus (H5N1) that primarily affects birds but can infect humans also.

Earlier vaccines targeting similar viruses had produced poor results, two members of the influenza division of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) wrote in the New England Journal of Medicine.

"Even if new vaccine manufacturing technologies... are utilised, the process from vaccine development to availability will probably take many months," said Timothy Uyeki and Nancy Cox.

Although worldwide efforts to develop a vaccine had already started based on early cases, clinical trials would also be needed, said the article posted on the journal's website on Thursday.

Quiz on Flu
Influenza (or rather, the flu) is a cold weather infectious condition that affects the young and old alike. Though most reported cases are mild, the flu can sometimes cause severe and life-threatening complications in both children and adults, thanks to wrong medications and improper vaccinations. Learn more about the disease from our Flu Quiz and guard yourself and your family from a possible infection.

The Chinese government said Wednesday that it expected to have a vaccine ready within seven months, state media reported.

China's Ministry of Science and Technology and the health ministry were jointly working on the vaccine, the Xinhua news agency said.

WHO Says New Strain of Bird Flu in China is Not Spreading Between People
The World Health Organization revealed that there is no evidence that the infection is being transmitted between people.

China has also developed a test for H7N9, distributing kits to hospitals and other monitoring sites, Xinhua said.

The journal article praised China's speed in identifying the virus, though it called for enhanced surveillance of people with respiratory illness and monitoring of the contacts of infected patients.

For 'False' Bird Flu Rumors China Detains 12
As authorities sought to control panic with cases mounting, China has detained at least 12 people for spreading false rumours about H7N9 bird flu, according to government statements.

Chinese authorities say they do not know how the virus is spreading but they have so far ruled out human-to-human transmission, a conclusion echoed by the World Health Organization.

Source-AFP