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H5N1 Solutions Poll
We at FluTrackers have initiated the following poll because the progression of H5N1 disease (avian influenza) continues thoughout the world.
There are some countries where this disease is "endemic" in the environment. Some of the world's experts in virology and genetics have suggested that the H5N1 disease may be the next pandemic.
Given that the supply of anti-virals is finite and they may not be effective against the H5N1 strain that becomes pandemic, shouldn't other solutions to lessen morbidity and mortality be explored?
Please answer the following questions in a "yes" or "no" format following the example in the first post of the thread.
Also, please give your name and country. Please feel free to add your city and/or profession if you choose.
This poll will be forwarded to WHO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
Thank you to the World's Citizens for participating.
FluTrackers Management
Thank you to Dr. Brian Kopp for assistance in the preparation of this poll.
__________________________________________________ _________
Given that:
- "Today, the world’s vaccine companies could produce enough doses of adjuvanted 30 mg HA vaccine in six months to vaccinate less than 100 million people,"
- "Production capacity is unlikely to increase substantially within the next 3-5 years,"
- "antiviral drugs, particularly the neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs), will be effective against any pandemic virus, and stockpiling is possible (1). However, supplies will likely be limited, even with a relatively large stockpile, and may well be exhausted without careful planning before vaccine is available."
-"Influenza A (H5N1) virus with an amino acid substitution in neuraminidase conferring high-level resistance to oseltamivir [Tamiflu] was isolated from two of eight Vietnamese patients during oseltamivir treatment."
1) Are you interested in having the world's governments, for-profit ventures, foundations, etc. fund the investigation of approaches to pandemic influenza preparedness, such as further investigation into the use of statin drugs for prophylaxis and treatment of pandemic influenza?
2) Would studies of medical treatment alternatives be important for providing physicians in all countries with something to offer patients for treatment and prophylaxis of pandemic influenza?
3) Would you support the further development of a WHO "polypill" (containing statins and/or other promising medications such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, aldosterone antagonists, or phosphodiesterase inhibitors) for immediate clinical trials among H5N1 victims in southeastern Asia?
4) Do you support the use of population-based administrative databases to evaluate reduced rates of hospitalization and death due to influenza related conditions among people taking other promising medications such as widely available and inexpensive (generic) medications?
5) Would you like to see the World's governments, for-profit ventures, foundations etc. initiate animal studies of statins (and other promising medications) to evaluate their efficacy in reducing the morbidity and mortality following infection with potential pandemic influenza viruses?
6) Do you support this "bottom-up" approach in evaluating known medications with proven clinical safety profiles that are already available and affordable in third world nations as a research strategy that must be undertaken with a great sense of urgency?
There are some countries where this disease is "endemic" in the environment. Some of the world's experts in virology and genetics have suggested that the H5N1 disease may be the next pandemic.
Given that the supply of anti-virals is finite and they may not be effective against the H5N1 strain that becomes pandemic, shouldn't other solutions to lessen morbidity and mortality be explored?
Please answer the following questions in a "yes" or "no" format following the example in the first post of the thread.
Also, please give your name and country. Please feel free to add your city and/or profession if you choose.
This poll will be forwarded to WHO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
Thank you to the World's Citizens for participating.
FluTrackers Management
Thank you to Dr. Brian Kopp for assistance in the preparation of this poll.
__________________________________________________ _________
Given that:
- "Today, the world’s vaccine companies could produce enough doses of adjuvanted 30 mg HA vaccine in six months to vaccinate less than 100 million people,"
- "Production capacity is unlikely to increase substantially within the next 3-5 years,"
- "antiviral drugs, particularly the neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs), will be effective against any pandemic virus, and stockpiling is possible (1). However, supplies will likely be limited, even with a relatively large stockpile, and may well be exhausted without careful planning before vaccine is available."
-"Influenza A (H5N1) virus with an amino acid substitution in neuraminidase conferring high-level resistance to oseltamivir [Tamiflu] was isolated from two of eight Vietnamese patients during oseltamivir treatment."
1) Are you interested in having the world's governments, for-profit ventures, foundations, etc. fund the investigation of approaches to pandemic influenza preparedness, such as further investigation into the use of statin drugs for prophylaxis and treatment of pandemic influenza?
2) Would studies of medical treatment alternatives be important for providing physicians in all countries with something to offer patients for treatment and prophylaxis of pandemic influenza?
3) Would you support the further development of a WHO "polypill" (containing statins and/or other promising medications such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, aldosterone antagonists, or phosphodiesterase inhibitors) for immediate clinical trials among H5N1 victims in southeastern Asia?
4) Do you support the use of population-based administrative databases to evaluate reduced rates of hospitalization and death due to influenza related conditions among people taking other promising medications such as widely available and inexpensive (generic) medications?
5) Would you like to see the World's governments, for-profit ventures, foundations etc. initiate animal studies of statins (and other promising medications) to evaluate their efficacy in reducing the morbidity and mortality following infection with potential pandemic influenza viruses?
6) Do you support this "bottom-up" approach in evaluating known medications with proven clinical safety profiles that are already available and affordable in third world nations as a research strategy that must be undertaken with a great sense of urgency?
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