The H5N1 Avian Flu Strain"Achuuu (sneezing)...I have bird flu!" That is what I jokingly said, and people will start running away from you. Also, has it become a taboo subject when we talk about spreadable diseases in Asia? Well, here are some news articles I found about the so-called cure (vaccine) for the disease produced by two Asian giants.
India and China develop bird flu vaccine
People's Daily July 2006
The High Security Animal Disease Laboratory in Bhopal of India has developed a vaccine for avian flu, according to local newspaper The Pioneer Tuesday.
The vaccine was developed following the outbreak of avian influenza in certain parts of western Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra, early this year, the newspaper said by quoting official source.
Gulf News December 2005
China will begin mass-production of a new bird flu vaccine for poultry by the end of the month that could also help in the development of a vaccine to protect people.
The new vaccine - 1 billion shots of which are expected to have been produced by year-end - will be used alongside existing vaccines from next year, the China Daily said on Monday, quoting chief veterinarian Jia Youling.
In addition to being injected, it can be administered orally, nasally or by spraying, the ministry's chief veterinary officer Jia Youling was quoted as saying.
Is all these a competition on who can produce avian flu vaccine or what? Have these vaccines been proven "clinically", and acknowledged by the World Health Organization (WHO)? What I know is that people are still dying from avian flu (the same deadly H5N1 strain), the latest being an Indonesian man who became the 42nd victim there.
Post a Comment