Can masks help stop flu spread?

One of the abiding images of the swine flu outbreak is the pictures from Mexico of people wandering the streets wearing masks.
And as the disease has spread from country to country, reports have emerged of people purchasing all sorts of products on the internet.
But while the scramble is understandable, experts are sceptical about just how useful they are.
Professor John Oxford, a virologist at leading London hospital, The Barts and the London, said: "Really, there is very little evidence that masks actually offer much protection against flu.
"I think handing them out to the public as has happened in Mexico just destroys confidence."
Health staff
It is these sorts of issues that has prompted officials from groups such as the World Health Organization and England's Health Protection Agency to steer clear of calling for them for general public use.
While Mexico has handed them out to members of the public, most other countries, including the UK, are just reserving them for health staff.
Others, such as Belgium, have bought some for flu patients, while several, including Spain, have handed them out to passengers on planes returning from affected areas.
It is believed there are enough masks for half the NHS workforce, but officials are already in discussion with suppliers about ordering another 30m to help cope if a pandemic develops.
Health workers have been told to wear them, along with special gloves, if they are in contact with potential victims.

The problem is that when someone sneezes they tend to take a mask off. I think masks give people a false sense of security Dr Ronald Cutler, of the University of London

Professor Oxford believes this approach is right.
"They are the people who will be most likely to be coming into contact with the virus and the ones who could be passing it on."
The Department of Health has focused on getting what are known as respirator masks. These have filters, which stop a person breathing in some particles in the air.
They are much more effective than the standard surgical masks or dust masks that are sometimes used by builders.
However, none of the masks can stop 100% of the particles getting through and become less effective once they become moist.
Instead, they are better at stopping the virus getting out.
Spread
Dr Ronald Cutler, deputy director of biomedical science at the University of London, said: "If you sneeze with a mask the virus will be contained so from that point of view if everyone wore them it might stop the spread.
"Or you could get the people with flu wearing them, but by the time they are diagnosed it could be too late.
"And the problem is that when someone sneezes they tend to take a mask off. I think masks give people a false sense of security.
"They are not bio-chemical suits. Masks are obviously just covering one part of the body so your hands and clothes could all have the virus on and when you take them off you will infect yourself.
"However, because people are wearing a mask they will think they are protected and may go into crowded areas.
"The best advice is to wash your hands and cover your mouth when sneezing."
Gail Lusardi, an infection control specialist at Glamorgan University, agreed.
"Masks alone will not prevent spread of the influenza virus and basic hygiene measures like hand washing, safe use and disposal of tissues and cleaning of environmental surfaces are key to preventing infection transmission."
She also said it was important they were correctly fitted - some of the more expensive respirator masks are molded to fit the face unlike standard masks that can be bought on the high street.

And she added: "A mask can be worn continuously for up to eight to 10 hours, but must be replaced if it is taken off at any stage."





http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8024605.stm

How to make a swine flu vaccine

British scientists have begun work on a vaccine against the H1N1 swine flu virus.
Their efforts are under way at the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) in Hertfordshire.
The NIBSC is one of a small group of influenza centres around the world which will create a seed vaccine strain which could then be grown in bulk by manufacturers.
Its scientists need a steady hand to drill a hole in a hen's egg.
For that is the first step in the creation of a vaccine against the swine flu virus.
Scientists at NIBSC, which is part of the Health Protection Agency, say eggs are ideal for growing up flu viruses.
"They are like virus production factories," its principal scientist Dr John Wood explained.

Manufacturers are halfway through producing their normal vaccine to combat winter flu. If they are asked to stop - there will be shortages of the normal seasonal vaccine Dr John Wood

"Eggs have been used for decades to make flu vaccines. It's an old technology but it works very well."
I was allowed into one of the containment labs which will be used to make the vaccine but not where the live virus is being used.
This is not because of infection but because I might contaminate the vaccine production process.
It involves scientists painstakingly injecting a small amount of virus into each egg which will then be incubated over the weekend.
By Monday, they should have enough virus to begin the next stage.
Two different techniques are being used.
First, "reverse genetics", where scientists take the H and the N surface proteins from the H1N1 virus and mix them with a laboratory virus known as PR8.
This creates a harmless hybrid virus which can be used for the vaccine.
The second technique involves injecting both the H1N1 and PR8 viruses into eggs and allowing the hybrid strain to be created through a natural re-assortment of their genes.
The vaccine will work by tricking the immune system into thinking it has been infected with the H1N1 swine flu virus so that it creates antibodies against it.
Bulk production
Then, if subsequently exposed to the virus, the immune system will destroy the invader before it can cause illness.
The first seed strain of H1N1 swine flu vaccine should be ready in three to four weeks. It will then take another four or five months for vaccine manufacturers to produce the vaccine in bulk.
On Wednesday, when the WHO raised the threat level to five - one short of a pandemic, its director general stopped short of asking vaccine manufacturers to switch to an H1N1 strain.
Dr Margaret Chan said this was because it was not yet clear how severe the virus would be.
"It will be an extremely difficult decision for the World Health Organisation and governments to make," said Dr Wood.
"Manufacturers are halfway through producing their normal vaccine to combat winter flu.

It could take manufacturers up to five months to mass-produce the vaccine

"If they are asked to stop doing that it means there will be shortages of the normal seasonal vaccine and vulnerable people could be susceptible if there was an epidemic of ordinary flu this winter".
The WHO has a matter of weeks in which to make that decision if it does not want to lose valuable time.
No-one should expect a swine flu vaccine to be available before the Autumn. In fact most of us will have to wait a lot longer.
Around 300 million doses of seasonal flu vaccine are produced globally each year.
The vaccine includes three different strains of human flu so each dose takes three eggs to produce.
If manufacturers switched to producing a single pandemic strain vaccine, they might feasibly triple the number of doses to around 900 million.
But it may not be that simple.
We do not know how well the virus will grow in eggs or how much antigen will be needed to create an effective vaccine.
It may require two injections to provide adequate immunity.
Long wait
With a world population of more than six billion, there clearly will not be enough to go round and the disease will hit poorer countries hardest because they cannot afford to buy the vaccines.
The UK government has contracts with two manufacturers to produce 120 million doses of pandemic vaccine - enough for two doses per Briton, if required.
But unless you are a front-line healthcare worker or someone involved in an essential service, do not be surprised if you are not among the first to receive it.
If a pandemic is declared and vaccine production begun then most of us are likely to have to wait until well into next year before we are offered it.
That is why it is so important to try to prevent an epidemic in Britain now. That would buy us valuable time in which to create a vaccine.







http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8029917.stm

New infections of swine flu 'on the way down'

The number of new cases of swine flu has halved in England amid signs the second peak of the pandemic is petering out, latest figures show.

There were 22,000 infections over the past seven days compared to 46,000 the week before, the government said.
To put that in context, the levels of flu being reported now are comparable to what has been seen in past winters.
But there are still 1,000 people in hospital in the UK and the death toll has reached 270.
This is in line with government estimates that there may be up to 1,000 this winter.
The first peak of the pandemic was in July when there were over 100,000 cases a week, which was followed by a drop and then a second rise during the autumn.
In Scotland, it is estimated that around 12.300 people have contracted swine flu in the past week, compared to just over 21,000 the week before.
In Wales and Northern Ireland the figure is much lower.
Progress
Sir Liam Donaldson, the government's chief medical officer, said the figures represented a "striking reduction", but it was still "too early" to know whether the downward trend would continue.
He pointed out there could be a surge in cases among older adults after Christmas - children have been the worst hit so far.
The government also reported progress being made with the vaccination programme - although it remains to be seen whether the NHS can get the first wave completed in time for Christmas as expected.
There have now been 1.6m doses given in England, a rise of 600,000 in the past week.
However, there are more than 9m people in the priority group, which includes those with health problems and pregnant women.
The first figures have also been given for healthcare workers.
The Department of Health said 275,000 had had the jab out of nearly 2m. The figure is double the number that were given the seasonal flu vaccine last year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8393651.stm

FLU PANDEMICS

1918: The Spanish flu pandemic remains the most devastating outbreak of modern times. Caused by a form of the H1N1 strain of flu, it is estimated that up to 40% of the world's population were infected, and more than 50 million people died, with young adults particularly badly affected

1957: Asian flu killed two million people. Caused by a human form of the virus, H2N2, combining with a mutated strain found in wild ducks. The impact of the pandemic was minimised by rapid action by health authorities, who identified the virus, and made vaccine available speedily. The elderly were particularly vulnerable

1968: An outbreak first detected in Hong Kong, and caused by a strain known as H3N2, killed up to one million people globally, with those over 65 most likely to die

Advice about swine flu

Swine flu has spread across the world since emerging in Mexico and is now officially the first flu pandemic for 40 years. Experts fear millions of people will be infected.
What is swine flu and what are the symptoms?

SWINE FLU SYMPTOMS Typical symptoms: sudden fever (38C or above) and sudden cough Other symptoms include: 1. Tiredness and chills 2. Headache, sore throat, runny nose and sneezing 3. Stomach upset, loss of appetite, diarrhoea 4. Aching muscles, limb or joint pain Source: NHS

Swine flu is a respiratory disease, caused by a strain of the influenza type A virus known as H1N1.
H1N1 is the same strain which causes seasonal outbreaks of flu in humans on a regular basis.
But this latest version is different: it contains genetic material that is typically found in strains of the virus that affect humans, birds and swine.
Although the strain may have originated in pigs, it is now a wholly human disease.
It can be spread from person to person by coughing and sneezing.
Symptoms of swine flu in humans appear to be similar to those produced by standard, seasonal flu - fever, cough, sore throat, body aches and chills. Some people with the virus have also reported nausea and diarrhoea.
However, many people who get flu show no symptoms at all.
Health experts say this could happen in half of all cases and with swine flu an analysis has shown that for children one in four of those infected may not fall ill.
What are the risks of the flu?
Experts have wrestled with the question ever since the pandemic emerged.
The problem is that for most people it is mild - about 98% recover without the need for any hospital treatment.
But doctors have found it very hard to predict who will develop complications, hence it has been dubbed a "Jekyll and Hyde" virus.
A fifth of the people who have died have been previously healthy individuals without any health conditions.
Nonetheless, certain groups are known to be at higher risk.
Pregnant women are between three to four times more likely to get seriously ill.
Young children also have higher rates of hospitalisation - although this could be partly because doctors are quicker to admit them.
Should I have the vaccine if offered it?
The vaccination programme is well under way.
Nearly 14m people, including NHS workers, people with health problems and pregnant women, will be offered the jab by Christmas. Healthy children under the age of five are also due to start getting it.
But already polls suggest people are worried about whether to get vaccinated.
The government says that getting immunised is the best way to protect yourself against flu.
However, its experts recognise that people are jumpy about vaccines and have said it is very much a personal decision.
People who are suspicious of vaccines often talk about the risk of complications.
One of the most common which is mentioned in association with flu vaccines is Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a rare disorder in which a person's own immune system damages the nerve cells, causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis.
Most of the evidence suggests vaccines do not increase the risk, however there is research to indicate that getting flu increases it seven-fold.
Another allegation sometimes made is that being given the vaccine could actually give you flu.
Doctors are adamant this is not the case - the two vaccines being used in the UK do not contain the live virus.
As for deaths, the World Health Organization has been monitoring this and while a handful of people have died after being given the vaccine, officials have ruled out any link to the jab.
Why has the UK been more affected than other countries?
The UK has a comprehensive flu surveillance system, hence more cases may be identified in the UK than in other countries with less comprehensive monitoring services.
Also, the spread of the infection in the early stages was linked to flights out of Mexico.

With Mexico being a popular tourist destination for British tourists, Britain was one of the first countries alongside the US and Canada to start seeing cases.
As the UK was affected earlier than some other countries the infection spread to a higher number of people at the start of the pandemic.
However, as the British summer progressed, cases fell, while southern hemisphere countries saw rises as they went through their winters.
More recently cases have started going up again in the UK, but other countries, such as France, also have high rates.
What should I do if I think I have it?
Anyone with flu-like symptoms who suspects they might have the swine flu virus are being advised to stay at home and contact the National Flu Service on 0800 1 513 100 or via the internet at www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu
The service allows sufferers to get access to anti-flu drugs without the need to consult a GP.
However, those with underlying health conditions, pregnant women and parents of children under one are still being advised to contact a doctor.
The GP route is also open to anyone who does not want to use the service.
In the initial phase of the outbreak, lab testing was done to diagnose the flu but this is no longer happening routinely.
How is it treated?
Two drugs commonly used to treat flu, Tamiflu and Relenza, are effective at treating infection, reducing the length of the illness and cutting the chances that people will have serious complications.
Use of these drugs may also make it less likely that infected people will pass the virus on to others.
However, the drugs must be administered at an early stage to be effective.
Researchers have also questioned whether the drugs are helpful in children aged between one and 12, saying the risk of side effects might outweigh any benefits.
But the Department of Health maintains a "safety-first approach" of offering antivirals to everyone remains a sensible and responsible way forward.
It said it would keep the policy under review.





http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8021958.stm

Three swine flu-related NI deaths

A second child from Foyleview special school in Londonderry, Ashleigh Lynch, has died after contracting swine flu.

Ashleigh's fellow pupil, 14-year-old Orla O'Kane, died last week. Ashleigh was one of three people to die on Wednesday after contracting the virus.
The health department said a 62-year-old man with swine flu had died but "it was not the cause of his death".
A third patient with swine flu and other complex health issues has also died in hospital.
No further details were released, but it is understood the victim was a young child who attended a special school in Belfast and had been in intensive care.
Ashleigh Lynch's family said she had "brought much joy and richness" to her relatives and friends.
In a statement the family said she was a much-loved daughter, sister, aunt and grand-daughter.
"The passing of Ashleigh is felt most deeply by her family, who grieve for her at this time," the Lynch family said.
'Priority'
"The family wish to express thanks to all of the medical staff who have cared with such great compassion for Ashleigh. They are also appreciative of the love and care of their family and friends at this most difficult of times."
Northern Ireland's Chief Medical Officer Michael McBride said there were no plans to close the school.
"We are starting on Thursday and Friday to target (with swine flu vaccine) in the first instance all children attending schools for children with severe learning disability," he said.
"We will then gradually make arrangements over the next number of days and next number of weeks to extend that programme to all such children and young adults in other schools.
"Our first priority is to get this vaccine out."
The Western Education and Library Board offered its sympathy to the families of the two pupils and the school's governors, staff and pupils.
A WELB spokesperson said the school continued to deal with outbreaks of swine flu in line with the direction received from the Public Health Agency and the school's critial incident plan.

"The board of governors and staff of Foyleview School are reviewing the situation on a regular basis in consultation with the PHA and the WELB so that reasonable and appropriate steps are taken to meet the needs of pupils, staff and families who are directly affected within the Foyleview School community," the spokesperson said.
Earlier this week, Health Minister Michael McGimpsey apologised for not informing Orla O'Kane's family that she had swine flu until two days after her funeral.
'At risk'
News of the latest death comes on the day that Northern Ireland's swine flu vaccination programme was launched by Mr McGimpsey.
The first batches were given to frontline health and social care staff and those in "at risk" groups.
About 55,000 doses have been delivered so far and more are due to arrive soon.
At risk groups include those aged between six months and 65 in the annual seasonal flu vaccination programme and all pregnant women.
They also include household contacts of those with immunity problems and people aged 65 and over who would normally get a seasonal flu jab.
Urgent arrangements are also being put in place to offer the vaccine to children with complex needs and severe learning disability.
Starting tomorrow and Friday, the vaccine will be offered to around 2,500 pupils in over 20 special schools. Many of these pupils are at most risk from complications of swine flu.
Ten people from Northern Ireland who had the virus have died - eight in NI and the other two in England and Spain.







http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/foyle_and_west/8318987.stm

Row over flu announcements policy

The chair of the NI Assembly's health committee has said the Department of Health's new policy of confirming swine flu deaths once a week is wrong.

Earlier, the department said it was unable to confirm reports that a child with the virus had died last Thursday.
Jim Wells said he would be asking Health Minister Michael McGimpsey to reverse the decision.
The minister said the policy of reporting the deaths as soon as possible was no longer sustainable.
The child who died is understood to be a girl from County Antrim who had complex medical needs.
She is the fifth special needs child in NI with swine flu to have died.
She is the 11th person from NI to have died after contracting the disease.
'Rumour mill'
Nine of those deaths occurred in NI, while one person died in England and another in Spain.
"Northern Ireland is a small place and if you don't provide accurate information to the public fairly quickly, the rumour mill starts to spin and I think that is not helpful in the fight against swine flu," Mr Wells said.
"I understand that the Department of Health are following guidelines from England, where it is done every Thursday.
"The difficulty is that Northern Ireland is a much more close-knit community than that and I think we should adapt our policy to reflect that situation."
However, Mr McGimpsey said the previous policy of reporting swine flu related deaths as soon as possible was no longer sensible.
"First and foremost, we know that for those families who have just suffered the death of a relative, to then be asked to release personal information for publication is very intrusive and deeply upsetting," he said.
"Secondly, it has become clear that the vast majority of families do not wish to have any details released and only want to grieve in peace."
Last month, two girls from Foyleview Special School in Londonderry who had the virus died within a week of each other.
They were Ashleigh Lynch and Orla O'Kane.
Following their deaths, there were calls from some school principals for teachers in special schools to be included in the first wave of vaccinations. That has now taken place.
More than 2,500 children in over 20 special schools for severe learning disability across Northern Ireland were offered the vaccine as a matter of urgency.







http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8340363.stm

Two further NI swine flu deaths

Two swine flu-related deaths have been reported in N Ireland in the last week, the Department of Health has confirmed.

One was a nine-year-old girl who had underlying health problems. The other, a 65-year-old woman, was described as having serious health complications.
Health authorities in the Republic have confirmed another four deaths in the past week bringing the total deaths over the border from swine flu to 14.
Twelve people from NI have died after contracting the virus.
Ten of those deaths occurred in Northern Ireland, while one person died in England and another in Spain.
The latest Northern Ireland figures show that there were 215 new cases of laboratory confirmed swine flu during the past week, bringing the total number since the beginning of the outbreak to 1,093.
The number of people hospitalised has increased by 12% in the last week, but the number of people contacting GPs with flu symptoms is down 21%.
The actual number of cases is likely to be much higher as doctors no longer routinely test for the virus.
The total number of people hospitalised with swine flu now stands at 495.
There were nine more admissions in the last week compared to the week before.
However, there has been a substantial decrease in a key indicator of how the virus is spreading.
'Encouraging'
GP consultations for "flu and flu-like illness" have decreased by 21% and the number of people contacting out-of-hours services with symptoms is also down very slightly.
Northern Ireland's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride said the decrease "may be partly due to half-term holidays" and cautioned that it was too soon to say whether the peak has been reached.
"There are minor fluctuations but what we're looking for is a sustained trend," he said.
"The decrease is certainly encouraging but it's early days yet and we wouldn't want to over-interpret the figures."
Details of swine flu-related deaths are now only released once a week.
Earlier this week, the chair of the NI Assembly's health committee criticised the Department of Health's new policy.
A swine-flu vaccination programme has begun with priority given to people most at risk of developing complications, including children in special needs schools, pregnant women and patients with underlying health problems.
Dr McBride said the vaccine uptake among pregnant women was particularly encouraging.
"Somewhere in the region of 5,000 pregnant women have had the vaccine in the first week of the programme - that's one-third of all women booked into the antenatal programme," he said.




http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8344589.stm

Son of swine flu mum returns home

The newborn son of an Omagh woman being treated for swine flu in a London hospital was released from the Erne Hospital on Thursday.

Shirley Hamilton, from Tattysallagh Road, contracted the virus after giving birth prematurely to Thomas Michael.
Her mother, Anne described her daughters condition as critical, but stable on Friday.
Shirley was moved from the Erne to the Royal Brompton Hospital where she is being kept in a drug-induced coma.
Thomas is being cared for by Shirley's mother Anne.
Her partner returned from London on Thursday and is awaiting his swine fly vaccination before being reunited with his son on Friday.
"We've loads of support. Everyone is being very, very kind," said Anne, who is also caring for Shirley 12-year-old twin daughters.
"The girls are dying about him. He'll not get a minutes peace."
Collections are taking place in Omagh to raise funds for the family to help them travel to London to visit Shirley.






http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/foyle_and_west/8346363.stm

Another swine flu death announced

Another person in Northern Ireland who had tested positive for swine flu has died, the Department of Health has said.

So far 13 people from Northern Ireland have died after contracting the virus.
In its weekly swine flu bulletin the department said the person who died had "underlying health conditions".
There has been a 9% decrease in the consultation rates from GPs over the past week and a drop in the number of people in hospital with the virus.
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey extended his condolences to the family of the latest person with the virus to die.
"We should all now respect their privacy and allow them to grieve in peace for their loved one," he said.

He said the fall in consultation rates was "encouraging and suggests that our preparations are working".
"However, swine flu still continues to circulate widely in the community and it is vital that we do not become complacent," he added.
Eleven of the deaths occurred in Northern Ireland, while one person died in England and another in Spain.
GP consultation rates for combined flu and flu like illnesses dropped from from 242.9 to 221 per 100,000 population, with the rates remaining highest in the 5-14 year age group.
The pandemic has seen a cumulative total of 527 people in Northern Ireland hospitalised with swine flu. This week there were 50 new cases being treated in hospital.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said while the decreases were encouraging, vigilance was still needed.
"While figures are encouraging, we should be mindful of countries like the Ukraine which are experiencing high levels of swine flu related hospitalisations and deaths," he said.
"This should serve as a reminder to us all to be vigilant and take every measure possible to protect ourselves against the virus."
Officials in Ukraine have closed schools for three weeks, imposed travel restrictions and limited public events as the country battles to stop the spread of swine flu.
More than 60 people are believed to have died of respiratory problems in one week, and the measures are among the toughest to be implemented in Europe to tackle the virus.
It is not clear whether all the deaths were caused by swine flu, but the news has sparked panic, and people have started wearing masks across the country.





http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8356908.stm

NI children to get swine flu jab

The swine flu vaccination programme is to be extended to all children aged between six months and five-years-old in Northern Ireland.

The Department of Health has said it intends to begin rolling out the programme by mid-December.
The body representing GPs in Northern Ireland said the move was a surprise.
The British Medical Association in NI said it welcomed the programme, but was disappointed the health minister had not consulted GPs before announcing it.
Meanwhile, the department also said another two people from NI have died after contracting the virus.
Both were said to have underlying health problems. This brings the total number of deaths to 15.
It is possible the vaccination programme will be extended to older children in a further phase.
The vaccine will be administered to about 100,000 children by GPs.
Derry GP and Deputy Chairman of the BMA's GP Committee in NI Dr Tom Black said: "We certainly welcome the extension of the H1N1 vaccination programme to children aged up to five years old.
"However, GPs are extremely disappointed that (Health) Minister (Michael) McGimpsey did not consult with us before this announcement.
"There has been no agreement with GPs to deliver the second phase of the vaccination programme. This programme needs to move forward on a four-country negotiation basis to ensure that H1N1 vaccinations are delivered safely to patients."
A spokesperson for the Department of Health said they understood negotiations had taken place at national level and they had hoped to engage with the BMA locally once they knew which children were the next to be vaccinated.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said in the last seven days, levels of flu activity was highest in those under the age of four.
"We have had somewhere in the region of 500 plus admissions to hospital, and more than 130 of those have been under four years of age," added Dr McBride.
Hospitalisation
"This virus is having a disproportionate impact on young people, particularly on children under four years of age who are at greater risk of illness with swine flu."
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said young children had "the highest rate of hospitalisation even without any underlying health conditions".
"In line with normal arrangements for vaccinating this age group, parents should expect to receive a letter from their GP once the first priority groups have been vaccinated," said Mr McGimpsey.

Those eligible for the vaccine will be contacted by their GPs

On Thursday, the minister also said there had been a positive response to vaccination from those people in the at risk groups.
He said: "So far almost 7,000 pregnant women, more than 2,100 children in special schools with severe learning disability and over 20,000 frontline health workers have been vaccinated."
BBC Northern Ireland health correspondent Marie Louise Connolly said: "According to a number of GPs contacted by the BBC, this is a positive move as a high number of patients are young children who through play can easily spread the infection to each other."
Vaccine availability
This second phase of vaccinations is expected to begin in early to mid-December once all of those who were initially deemed to be at risk have been vaccinated.
About 139,000 doses of the vaccine have been distributed to GPs in Northern Ireland by the Department of Health.
To date between 40,000 and 45,000 doses have been sent out each week, on Thursday the department said that from next week they will be able to ship 80,000 doses per week.
Parents will be contacted by their GP's surgery once the vaccine is available to them and it is anticipated that all children aged six months to five years can be vaccinated within a three to four week period.
Thirteen of the swine flu deaths occurred in Northern Ireland, while one person died in England and another in Spain.





http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8368501.stm

Northern Ireland swine flu cases decrease again

The number of people being diagnosed with swine flu in Northern Ireland is continuing to drop.

GP consultation rates for flu or flu-like symptoms decreased in the past week by 24%, while out-of-hours calls to doctors have fallen by 30%.
Out of nine people treated in hospital, five were children under five.
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said: "This highlights the need to vaccinate these young children as soon as possible."
Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said: "Our figures suggest that we have almost completed the initial priority groups and are now ready to move to phase two of the vaccination programme.
"Children aged from six months up to five years will now be offered the vaccine.
"We know that they are more likely to be admitted to hospital and that many of them do not have underlying health conditions."
Meanwhile, a health chief has said he was disappointed that negotiations over swine flu vaccinations for the under-fives broke down because of finances.
It is believed the government and the BMA were unable to agree on how doctors would carry out a mass vaccination during the busy winter months and meet targets to provide routine appointments for patients within 48 hours.
Under the terms of their contract, doctors are paid bonuses for this service.
John Compton, chief executive of the Regional Health and Social Care Board, told the assembly's health committee it should not have come down to money.
"It is always a matter of regret when it presents itself as a rather difficult negotiation over whether it's £5.20, £6.20 or £10.20 - I think that's just the wrong place to be," he said.





http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8406046.stm

Nine-year-old with swine flu dies in Northern Ireland

A nine-year-old child in Northern Ireland who had swine flu has died.

The death of the child, who had underlying health conditions, was announced at the Department of Health's weekly swine flu briefing in Belfast.
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey expressed his "sincere sympathy" to the child's family.
GP consultation rates for flu or flu-like symptoms decreased by 19% in the past week.



http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8418489.stm

Change to swine flu jab advice

Healthy children will no longer be given a second dose of the swine flu vaccine, after the NI Department of Health revised its policy.

The change follows new advice from the European Medicines Agency.
Children aged between six months and 10 years who do not suffer from underlying health problems will now be given one vaccine dose instead of two.
It is understood there has been a higher rate of fever in young children following a second injection.
The Department of Health sent a letter to GPs outlining the change almost two weeks ago.
However younger patients who have a weaker immune system and are susceptible to viral infections will continue to be given two doses of the vaccine.
To date, 16 people from Northern Ireland - including several children - have died after contracting the virus.
The latest person to die was a nine-year-old child who had underlying health conditions.
The death was announced last Thursday as part of the Department's weekly swine flu update.
The figures also showed that the number of people who were treated in hospital suffering from the virus had decreased, as had the number of people who had contacted their doctor with flu or flu-like symptoms.




News copied from the link below

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8426768.stm

Two-year-old with swine flu dies

There has been another death of a child in Northern Ireland who had swine flu.

The death of the two-year-old, who had underlying medical conditions, was announced in the Department of Health's weekly swine flu update.
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey expressed his "deepest sympathy" to the child's family.
To date, 17 people from Northern Ireland who had swine flu have died. Fifteen of them died in NI, one in England and one in Spain.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said cases of the virus were decreasing but people must remain vigilant.
"The public have a major role to play in this pandemic, not only looking after themselves, but those they come in contact with by getting the vaccine when it is offered to them," he said.
"It is the best way for people to be protected against swine flu."
On Tuesday the Department of Health said that after revising its policy children will no longer be given a second dose of the swine flu vaccine.
The change follows new advice from the European Medicines Agency.
Children aged between six months and 10 years who do not suffer from underlying health problems will now be given one vaccine dose instead of two.

It is understood there had been a higher rate of fever in young children following a second injection.

what is Translation?

During translation the genetic information present in mRNA directs the order of specific amino acids to form a polypeptide or protein. The mRNA has a series of triplet bases, each triplet forming a codon. The codons pair with anticodons of the tRNA molecule. Each anticodon consists of three free bases.This pairing follows the A U and G C combination. Thus the codon GUC pairs with the anticodon CAG of tRNA.

Thus the series of codons on mRNA determines the series of anticodons of the different tRNA molecules, and hence of the amino acids. Since the triplets of mRNA in turn depend upon the series of bases in DNA, it follows that the DNA molecule determines the sequence of amino acids, and hence the structure of the protein molecule.
 The translation process consists of activation of amino acids, transfer of the activated amino acid to tRNA, initiation of polypeptide chain synthesis, chain elongation and chain termination

Components of RNA Polymerases of Escherichia Coli and Bacillus Subtilis -

Subunit	Molecular Weight	Function
	E.coli	B.subtilis
β' (beta')	160,000	160,000	Binding of RNA polymerase of DNA
β (beta)	150,000	150,000	Binding with sigma factor
α (alpha) (2)	40,000	45,000	Promoter recongnition (?)
δ (delta)	--	21,000	--
ω1 ( omega 1 )	--	11,000	Not essential for normal activity
ω2 ( omega 2 )	--	9,500	Not essential for normal activity
σ sigma	90,000	55,000	Recognition of start signals (initiation)

RNA Chain Termination

Termination of RNA chain synthesis appears to be brought about by two types of mechanisms. In the first type the termination signal appears to be recognized by DNA itself. RNA polymerase reads an extended poly (A) sequence on DNA. This results in an RNA transcript with a terminal poly(U) sequence

The second type of termination signal involves an additional protein called the rho (P) factor. This is a tetramer of molecular weight 200,000. The (rho) factor probably binds to RNA polymerase. It is however, not certain whether it also, or exclusively, binds to DNA.
The function of termination factor rho. Richardson (1978) has proposed a model for rho function. The rho factor catalyses the reaction. Because of the fact that nucleoside triphosphates act as substrates, rho has been described as a nucleoside triphosphate phosphohydrolase (NTPase). NTPase activity of rho is essential for termination.

NTPase activity is in turn dependent on RNA. Thus the requirement for RNA in termination is absolute. It has been suggested that rho recognizes in RNA a site rich in pyrimidines and containing at least a few cytidylate residues. The requirement for magnesium ions is not absolute.
The following model has been proposed for rho termination: (A) RNA polymerase initiates the RNA chain and moves along the DNA template. (B) Nascent RNA elongates and the rho binding site becomes exposed. (C) RNA polymerase pauses for some time in certain regions of DNA ('pause region') where transcription is slower. This site defines termination. Rho moves along RNA from its binding site to RNA polymerase.

This movement may be driven by hydrolysis of ATP. (D) Rho now comes into contact with RNA polymerase. (E) RNA and rho dissociate from RNA polymerase. Rho thus primarily acts as a release factor. (F) RNA polymerase is finally released. If it were left bound to DNA at the pause site then it would rapidly dissociate as long as the sigma factor is available.
According to this model rho is important for correct transcription termination. E. coli mutants with defective rho factors have less effective terminationThe mRNA synthesized has its bases complementary to the region of the DNA where it is formed.

The process of transcription is essentially similar to replication except for the following differences:

(1) ribose sugar is used instead of deoxyribose,

(2) adenine is complemented by uracil instead of thymine, and

(3) only one DNA strand forms the RNA strand.
Not all RNA is copied along DNA templates. Certain viruses, e.g. the tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) contain RNA as the genetic material instead of DNA. This RNA can serve directly as mRNA. A complementary RNA strand can also be synthesized by an RNA primer

Messenger RNA functions in transcribing information from the DNA molecule and carrying it to the ribosomes where in is translated into protein. It is, therefore, the carrier of information for protein synthesis from the genes to the sites of protein synthesis. Each mRNA strand becomes associated with the smaller subunits of a group of ribosomes to form a polyribosome or polysome .

These may be found free in the cytoplasm, as in bacteria, or may be associated with the endoplasmic reticulum, as in higher cells. Bacterial ribosomes contain two subunits, the 30S and the 50S subunits. The 30S subunit alone can bind mRNA. In animal cells the mRNA binds to the 40S subunit.


This information is copied from the given link


http://www.microbiologyprocedure.com/protein-synthesis/RNA-chain-termination.htm

Characteristics of Subunits of Different RNA Polyemerases of Calf Thymus -

RNA Polymerase	Subunits and their molecular weights
AIa MW	SA1 197,000	SA2 126,000	-- --	SA4 44,000	SA5 25,000		SA6 16,500
AIb MW	SA1 197,000	SA2 126,000	SA3 51,000	SA5 44,000	SA5 25,000		SA6 16,500
BI	SB1	--	SA2	SB3	SA4	SA5	SB6 (a+b)
MW	14,000		140,000	34,000	25,000	20,000	16,500
BIIa BIIb MW	-- --	SB2a SB2b 180,000	SB3 140,000	SA4 34,000	SA4 25,000	SA5' 20,000	SB6 (a+b) 16,500

RNA Polymerases in Eukaryotes

In eukaryotic cells multiple forms of DNA dependent RNA polymerase are responsible for synthesis of cellular RNA. These differ in structure, function and localization. According to one terminology the RNA polymerases are named enzymes I, II and III. According to another terminology, based on sensitivity to amanitin, RNA polymerases are divided into three classes, A, Band C.

Class A polymerases are insensitive to amanitin and arc localized in the nucleoli. They include enzyme AI (RNA polymerase I) and AII (IB). AI has been purified from calf thymus, mouse myeloma and rat liver.
Class B polymerases are sensitive to low concentrations of amanitin(10-9 to 10-8 M), and are synonymous with polymerase II. They have been purified from calf thymus, rat liver, mouse myeloma and chick liver, among other tissues.

Class B polymerases can be resolved into three forms, BO (IIo), BI (IIA) and BII (a+b) (IIB). The BII form can be further resolved into two isoenzymes BIIa and BIIb. Class B polymerases are nucleoplasmic in location.
Class C polymerases are sensitive to high concentrations of amanitin(10-5 to 10-4 M). and have been resolved into CI, CII, CIIIa and CIIIb forms. Mouse myeloma polymerase III has been resolved into two chromatographic forms, IIIA which appears to be nuclear in origin and IIIB which is found mainly in the cytoplasm. Polymerase IIIA is synony­mous with CIIIa and polymerase IIIB with CIIIb

Molecular structure. Each RNA polymerase is composed of two high molecular weight subunits or polypeptides and 4-6 smaller ones. Calf thymus RNA polymerases AIa, AIb, BI, BIIa and BIIb have been studied in detail.
Calf thymus RNA polymerase BII exists in two forms, BIIa and BIIb which differ only in their largest subunits (MW 180,000). In BIIa the subunit is SB2a and in BIIb it is SB2b. In class B polymerases the SB6 subunit consists of two isomers, SB6a and SB6b.BI and BII polymerases have additional SB5' subunits. SA3 does not appear to be essential for RNA synthesis on DNA templates.
The localization of class A polymerases (polymerase I) in Q),e nucleolus suggests a role in the synthesis of rRNAs. The involvement of Class C polymerases is not excluded. Class B polymerases (polymerase II) are involved hi the synthesis of heteronuclear RNA (hnRNA), a precursor of messenger RNA (mRNA).

Class C polymerases (polymerase III) appear to be involved in the synthesis of 5S RNA and pre 4S RNAs which are precursors of cytoplasmic tRNAs. Thus in eukaryotes, polymerases I, II and III are involved in the synthesis of rRNA, mRNA and tRNA, respectively. This is in contrast to the condition in prokaryotes where the synthesis of the three types of RNA is controlled by a single RNA polymerase.

Protein Synthesis - History

1941. Caspersson and Brachet showed that nucleic acids are connected with protein synthesis.
1952. Porter described the endoplasmic reticulum.
1953. Palade described the ribosome.
1954. Gamow suggested a minimum genetic code of three nucleotides.

1955. Grunberg-Manago and Ochoa isolated the enzyme which links  RNA nucleotides, to from RNA in vitro.
1956. Kornberg reported that in vitro synthesis an enzyme is necessary for DNA synthesis.
1956. Hoagland and co workers showed that separate enzymes catalyse the activation of different amino acids.
1957. Hoagland and others reported the presence of tRNA, and showed that it combines with amino acids before protein synthesis.
1957. Kornberg and co-workers isolated DNA polymerase enzyme of E. coli that could be used for in vitro synthesis of DNA.
1958. Tissieres and Watson isolated 70S E. coli ribosomes and showed that they consist of two subunits, 50S and 30S
1958. Crick proposed the central dogma of molecular biology, that DNA determines the sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide.
1961. Nirenberg and Mathei demonstrated that a particular RNA sequence produces a particular amino acid sequence.
1961. Jacob and Monod postulated the presence and function of mRNA in protein synthesis, and proposed the operon concept.
1961. Brenner, Jacob, and Meselson demonstrated the function of mRNA in protein synthesis.
1961. Crick and others produced direct evidence that the genetic code  is a triplet code.
1961. Hall and Spiegelman obtained direct evidence that the mRNA molecule is formed on one DNA template strand.
1963. Temin reported that in certain tumour viruses RNA synthesizes DNA, which in turn codes for proteins (Teminism).
1964. Holley described the nucleotide sequence of alanine tRNA mole cule of yeast.
1964. Nirenberg and Leder showed that tRNA binding on the ribosome depends on mRNA.
1966. Spiegelman and colleagues successfully replicated biologically active viral RNA in test tube.
1967. Kornberg and Sinsheimer synthesized single stranded DNA in ØX174 bacteriophage

1967. Khorana and others showed that DNA ligase is capable of joining short lengths of DNA.
1970. Khorana synthesized an artificial gene from DNA nucleotides.

WHO: Global Swine Flu Update

The amount of global swine flu deaths surged past the 10,000 mark just eight months after the virus was unearthed in April, the World Health Organization announced Friday, although reported cases are lessening.
Early numbers implied that the mortality rate had not gone downhill as the flu virus plowed through the northern hemisphere.
"As of December 13, 2009, worldwide more than 208 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including at least 10,582 deaths," the WHO said.
In information publicized a week ago, the death toll had only reached 9,596.
While the A(H1N1) virus is still "active and geographically widespread," the disease has hit a peak or is declining in several areas, the UN health agency noted.
Initial information from North America signified that the mortality rate was comparable to the one found in South America earlier in 2009.
"This would indicate that the overall severity of the pandemic has not changed," the WHO said.
10 western and northern European nations are seeing a decline in the viruses activity, except for Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Montenegro and Switzerland.
The WHO added that flu communication is falling in east Asia, including Japan, northern and southern China, Taiwan and Mongolia




http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1801786/who_global_swine_flu_update/

Swine flu: Afghanistan's only pig quarantined

Afghanistan's only known pig has been taken off display at Kabul Zoo and locked away to avoid panic among visitors who may be worried about swine flu. 

"We put the pig temporarily in his winter house under quarantine because of swine influenza," Aziz Gul Saqib, the zoo's director, said.
"Most people don't have much knowledge about swine influenza and seeing a pig, they panic that they will be infected.

"Just to address our visitors' concerns, we have put the pig away from public view for the past two days," he said.
Mr Saqib said he had sent e-mails to other international zoos to find out if they had also put their pigs in quarantine because of health fears.
The World Health Organisation has officially backed away from calling the illness swine flu, choosing influenza A (H1N1) to dispel the impression that the virus can be caught from eating pork products or through contact with pigs.
According to latest figures from the world body, 1,490 people around the globe have been infected by the flu. In Mexico, the epicentre of the outbreak, 29 people have died.
There have been no confirmed cases of swine influenza in Afghanistan and the country does not have any direct flights with nations affected.
The interned animal -- known simply as "Pig" -- was one of two given to Afghanistan by China in 2002, months after the ouster of the hardline Taliban regime, to help reestablish the zoo after it was destroyed during civil war.
However, the other pig and some piglets were killed in an attack by a bear.
Despite being the only pig, it was not too lonely, Mr Saqib said.
"The pig made friends with a goat and was happy sticking to the goat in the enclosure, where some other goats and deer were on show for visitors."




http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/swine-flu/5288437/Swine-flu-Afghanistans-only-pig-quarantined.html

 

Delhi's swine flu tally touches 8,501

NEW DELHI: The capital on Monday recorded 118 new cases of swine flu, taking the total number of cases in the city to 8,501, health authorities said..


"Delhi recorded 118 new cases of Influenza A (H1N1) on Monday. With this the cumulative total number of cases in the city has risen to 8,501," Anjana Prakash, additional nodal officer handling swine flu cases in Delhi, told IANS.

Fifty of the new cases are children, she added. The total number of deaths recorded because of swine flu is 54. No new deaths were recorded on Monday.


For more information please go yo this link

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Delhis-swine-flu-tally-touches-8501/articleshow/5362749.cms

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Experts fear surge of swine flu cases in Pakistan

KARACHI (PPI) - Experts fear there might be a huge surge in swine flu cases in Karachi, as the government-run hospitals are not properly equipped to cope with the new viral disease. They say delay in diagnosis of swine flu cases might prove costly as this largest city of the country has even not a single virology laboratory and presently samples of suspect patients are sent to the National Institute of Health (NIH) Islamabad.
Ex-secretary general of Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) and noted ENT surgeon Dr Qaiser Sajjad said the normal symptoms of swine flu are like normal flu and patients mostly visit ENT doctors, adding ENT doctors, themselves, are at the high risk of catching infection.
He said swine flu spread from people to people. He said we Pakistanis are highly vulnerable as in our culture close physical contact like shaking hand shake and hugging is normal for greeting one another. He said in this close physical contact culture the chances of spread of viral diseases like swine flu are alarmingly high. He said in our society a lot of families share same bath towels, soaps, combs, eating utensils, telephone sets and other things and in the scenario a patient carrying virus could infect whole family.
He said the chances of spread of swine flu at schools, colleges, public transport and crowded markets are higher, as coughing or sneezing of one infected person could spread the infection to others in no time.
Dr Sajjad said experts had already warned of the possible outbreak of swine flu after the Hajj season, but the government failed to arrange proper screening facilities for them. He said majority of government hospitals have no arrangements to deal with swine flu cases. He said only a few doctors and paramedics are trained how to safely handle a swine flu patient.
He said in many cases, a carrier of swine flu may be symptom-less and with mild symptoms of fever and common flu. He said in this background it is quite difficult even for doctors to properly diagnose the swine flu patients. He said the government is focusing on projects like roads and bridges, but this important thickly populated city is not given a proper virology laboratory to cope with dangerous viral infections.

First swine flu case in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD - Federal Minister for Health, Mir Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani, on Monday confirmed the first case of the H1N1 virus, swine flu, in Pakistan, adding that the patient had recovered and the disease was not transmitted any further.
As many as 25 suspected patients were screened for swine flu and the situation was under control, as all preventive measures had been taken in that regard, the minister stated while replying to a written question on the floor of the National Assembly.
Informing about the availability of anti-viral drug, Tami-flu, in Pakistan, he said that the medicine was sufficiently available in government hospitals to treat any patient of swine flu. He maintained that the health ministry being cognisant of the risk posed to human health due to this disease had provided training to the health care providers to cope with any emergency like situation caused by the H1N1 virus.
“Due to increase in reported cases and fatalities associated with the swine flu, all precautionary measures have been adopted at airports and seaports to monitor the disease,” he continued. He said the health officers at the international airports, seaports and border posts were screening suspected travellers. The ministry of health was also planning to install thermal scanners at entry points to detect cases and procure swine flu pre-pandemic vaccine whenever it became available, he added.
He also informed the Lower House that the ministry had also taken interventions like social distances and personal hygiene. He said that in a circular issued, all educational institutions were advised to inform parents that children with flu like symptoms might not be sent to schools. Also general public had been advised to observe etiquettes while coughing and people with flu like symptoms must avoid visiting public places and physical contact with others, he added.
It is worth mentioning here that swine flu is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease of pigs and the virus is spread among pigs by aerosols, direct and indirect contact, and asymptomatic carrier pigs. According to the independent statistics, 205,785 people were infected during the latest spree of swine flu whereas 1,569 deaths were reported worldwide.


Article copied from the given link


http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/11-Aug-2009/First-swine-flu-case-in-Pakistan

Flu Pandemic Risk: Swine Flu Monitoring Needed For Farm Workers, Study Says

A University of Alberta study recommends that workers on pig farms be monitored as part of influenza pandemic preparedness, after a child on a communal farm in Canada was diagnosed with swine flu in 2006.
Though the seven-month-old boy made a full recovery, health researchers were concerned because of evidence that the virus spread to other members of the multi-family community, who, fortunately, all demonstrated mild or no apparent illness. It has been known for a long time that avian and swine strains of flu can spread to humans, with avian strains appearing to be more dangerous than swine strains; as of late 2007, the avian flu had killed 194 people in 321 cases reported worldwide.
Of the 90 people on the farm tested by the University of Alberta and a team of other researchers with provincial and federal health agencies, 54 were tested for positivity to the flu strain, thought to be of swine origin. Besides the baby boy, four of seven other household members and four of 46 other people living on the farm tested positive. The strain of flu was also detected in one of 10 young pigs on the farm. The child apparently had no direct contact with the swine.
"The concern is that swine viral strains could adapt into a form that results in efficient human-to-human transmission," said Dr. Joan L. Robinson, a professor at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, a pediatrician at the Stollery Children's Hospital, and lead author of the study, which was published recently in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases. Swine flu in humans is "under-recognized in Canada, but it has the capacity to become a problem," she added. "Early recognition that swine strains are becoming more virulent might expedite both implementation of ideal infection control precautions for symptomatic cases and vaccine development."
Rather than workers on livestock farms being responsible for recognizing their own flu symptoms, there should be a public health program in place that leads to specific measures if an unexpected number or severity of cases of flu-like illness occur in swine workers. No health program targeting swine workers currently exists, Robinson notes.

Harvard Medical School Releases Special Health Report On Swine Flu

A new report from Harvard Medical School explains how and why the swine flu virus is threatening humans and describes what to do if the infection reaches your community.
The United States government declared a public health emergency as a result of an increasing number of cases of swine flu, a new type of influenza virus that contains genes from pig (swine), bird and human influenza viruses. Although the effect of the disease in the United States has been mild thus far, swine flu has killed many people in Mexico, and is spreading around the globe.
The infection is spreading in the U.S., Mexico, and other parts of the world.  The World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have expressed concern that the illness could turn into a global pandemic. Global pandemics can cause great suffering, economic losses, and loss of life.
In response, Harvard Health Publications (HHP), a Division of Harvard Medical School, has published a Special Health Report, Swine Flu: How to understand your risk and protect your health. The report explains what the illness is, how it is diagnosed and treated, and how families and businesses can protect themselves against it—written in language that anyone can understand.  The report can be purchased electronically in PDF file format, for download from the HHP Web site: http://www.health.harvard.edu/SF.
The 43-page Special Health Report answers questions such as:

• What is an influenza virus, and how does it cause infection?
• What is swine flu, and what is a pandemic?
• What are the symptoms of swine flu, and how are they different from regular flu?
• How serious and contagious could the swine flu epidemic be?
• What has happened in past pandemics of influenza?
• Is a vaccine available?
• How is swine flu treated?
• What can I do to protect myself and my family?
• What should I expect if a pandemic hits?
• How can businesses prepare for a swine flu pandemic?

First Swine Flu DNA Test Produced

Scientists with PrimerDesign Ltd, a UK firm founded by University of Southampton, have produced the first DNA test kit for the Mexican swine flu. The first shipment of rapid-results tests has been sent today directly to Mexico as well as many other territories to help authorities monitor the increasing number of suspected cases.

Project coordinator Dr Rob Powell said: "This past Sunday at midnight was a very special moment for us. We were able to show conclusively that the test works."
The rapid test has results in only two hours compared to current diagnostic tests which take two days.
"Monitoring the spread of the virus is now the key weapon against a possible pandemic. These tests will contribute to the global effort to halt the disease," said Dr Jim Wicks from PrimerDesign.
The company is part of the University's SETsquared Business Incubation programme.
The PrimerDesign swine flu real-time PCR kit is sold primarily for research use but could be used to d

Scientists Race To Deliver DNA Swine Flu Test

A team of genetics experts in Southampton is working against the clock to produce the world's first DNA test for the Mexican strain of swine flu.

University of Southampton spin-out company PrimerDesign specialises in producing high-tech DNA detection kits. The technology detects results faster and more accurately than traditional diagnosis techniques. The company was founded by University of Southampton scientists and is part of the University's SETsquared Business Incubation programme.
Staff at the PrimerDesign laboratories realised they were ideally positioned to create the first DNA swine flu test when the US Centre for Disease Control published the genetic data for the killer virus this week.
Coordinator of the swine flu DNA project, Dr Rob Powell said, "With the release of the unique genetic code for this dangerous virus strain we're able to develop the ultimate diagnosis tool within the next few days.
"At PrimerDesign we're able to produce synthetic DNA that matches the virus exactly, without ever having to come into contact with the flu itself. The test can identify the presence of swine flu within two hours."
The high-tech production methods of the kits mean that the Southampton team could very quickly produce enough test kits for hospitals across Europe if needed. The kits will be fully developed and ready to go within two weeks.
PrimerDesign Ltd already produces genetic detection kits for numerous other viruses and conditions; it is possible that this could be the first DNA diagnosis for the Mexican swine flu anywhere in the world.

Researchers Describe The 90-Year Evolution Of Swine Flu

The current H1N1 swine flu strain has genetic roots in an illness that sickened pigs at the 1918 Cedar Rapids Swine Show in Iowa, report infectious disease experts at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health in the New England Journal of Medicine. Their paper, published online June 29 and slated for the July 16 print issue, describes H1N1's nearly century-long and often convoluted journey, which may include the accidental resurrection of an extinct strain.
"At the same time the 1918 flu pandemic was rapidly spreading among humans, pigs were hit with a respiratory illness that closely resembled symptoms seen in people," said senior author Donald S. Burke, M.D., dean, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health. "Early experiments confirmed that this 1918 swine virus and a human strain emerged about the same time. Since then, this ancestor virus has re-assorted genetically with other influenza strains at least four times, leading to the emergence of the new 2009 strain, which has retained some similarities to the original virus."
In the paper, Dr. Burke and lead author Shanta M. Zimmer, M.D., assistant professor, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, describe the temporary "extinction" of the H1N1 virus from humans in 1957 and its subsequent re-emergence 20 years later. They note a small 230-person outbreak of H1N1 in 1976 among soldiers in Fort Dix, New Jersey that did not extend outside the military base. Then, H1N1 influenza re-emerged in 1977 among people in the former Soviet Union, Hong Kong and northeastern China. Careful study of the genetic origin of the 1977 strain showed that it was not the Fort Dix strain, but, surprisingly, was related closely to a 1950 human strain. Given the genetic similarity of these strains, re-emergence was likely due to an accidental release during laboratory studies of the 1950 strain that had been preserved as a 'freezer' virus, they said.
The authors hypothesize that concerns about the Fort Dix outbreak stimulated a flurry of research on H1N1 viruses in 1976, which led to an accidental release and re-emergence of the previously extinct virus a year later. The re-emerged 1977 H1N1 strain has continued to circulate among humans as seasonal flu for the past 32 years.
Although originally traced to Mexico, the exact physical origins of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic virus are unknown. Because the current strain shares common ancestry with older flu strains, it is possible that portions of the population may have partial immunity to the new pandemic virus.
The authors also go on to explain that the danger posed by a virus isn't based solely on its lethality, but also on its transmissibility, which is the ability to jump from animals to humans and to survive by mutating to adapt to its new human host. H1N1 influenza viruses have demonstrated this ability throughout their history.
"Studying the history of emergence and evolution of flu viruses doesn't provide us with a blueprint for the future, but it does reveal general patterns, and this kind of information is critical if we are to be as prepared as possible," said Dr. Burke.






http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090629200641.htm

New 3-D Structural Model Of Critical H1N1 Protein Developed

In just two weeks from the time the first patient virus samples were made available, Singapore scientists report an evolutionary analysis of a critical protein produced by the 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus strain.
In the Biology Direct journal's May 20th issue, Sebastian Maurer-Stroh, Ph.D., and his team of scientists at the Bioinformatics Institute (BII), one of the research institutes at Singapore's Biopolis, also demonstrated the use of a computational 3-dimensional (3D) structural model of the protein, neuraminidase.
With the 3D model, Dr. Maurer-Stroh and his team were able to map the regions of the protein that have mutated and determine whether drugs and vaccines that target specific areas of the protein were effective. Among their findings:
a. neuraminidase structure of the 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus has undergone extensive surface mutations compared to closely related strains such as the H5N1 avian flu virus or other H1N1 strains including the 1918 Spanish flu;
b. neuraminidase of the 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus strain is more similar to the H5N1 avian flu than to the historic 1918 H1N1 strain (Spanish flu);
c. current mutations of the virus have rendered previous flu vaccinations directed against neuraminidase less effective; and
d. commercial drugs, namely Tamiflu® and Relenza®, are still effective in treating the current H1N1 virus.
With the Biology Direct journal paper, the Singapore scientists have become the first to demonstrate how bioinformatics and computational biology can contribute towards managing the H1N1 influenza A virus.
"BII's H1N1 virus sequence study marks a significant milestone in the use of computational biology methods in understanding how the mutations of the fast evolving influenza virus affect immunogenic properties or drug response," said BII Director Frank Eisenhaber, Ph.D. "This information helps to develop a strategy for fighting the H1N1 virus and for organising an effective treatment for patients."
Other technologies to tackle the 2009 H1N1 Influenza A virus have been developed by scientists at Biopolis research institutes sponsored by Singapore's A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research). They include:

• a chip that is able to quickly sequence or decode the genes in the flu virus and distinguish between the H1N1, seasonal, and mutated flu strains, at the Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS).
• a microkit for the detection and identification of the flu virus strain within 2 hours, at the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN).
• a molecular diagnostic assay to distinguish between the H1N1 and seasonal flu strains, at the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB).

BII's interactive 3D model is available at the following link: http://mendel.bii.a-star.edu.sg/SEQUENCES/H1N1/
Influenza A virus strains are categorized according to two proteins found on the surface of the virus: haemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N). All influenza A viruses contain haemagglutinin and neuraminidase. The structures of these proteins differ from strain to strain eg, swine flu belongs to the H1N1 type, avian flu to H5N1 and the currently dominant seasonal flu belongs to the H3N2 type



http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090522122316.htm

Swine Flu: H1N1 Virus More Dangerous Than Suspected, Except To Survivors Of The 1918 Pandemic Flu Virus

A new, highly detailed study of the H1N1 flu virus shows that the pathogen is more virulent than previously thought.

Writing in a fast-tracked report published July 13, 2009 in the journal Nature, an international team of researchers led by UW-Madison virologist Yoshihiro Kawaoka provides a detailed portrait of the pandemic virus and its pathogenic qualities.
In contrast with run-of-the-mill seasonal flu viruses, the H1N1virus exhibits an ability to infect cells deep in the lungs, where it can cause pneumonia and, in severe cases, death. Seasonal viruses typically infect only cells in the upper respiratory system.
"There is a misunderstanding about this virus," says Kawaoka, a professor of pathobiological sciences at the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine and a leading authority on influenza. "People think this pathogen may be similar to seasonal influenza. This study shows that is not the case. There is clear evidence the virus is different than seasonal influenza."
The ability to infect the lungs, notes Kawaoka, is a quality frighteningly similar to those of other pandemic viruses, notably the 1918 virus, which killed tens of millions of people at the tail end of World War I. There are likely other similarities to the 1918 virus, says Kawaoka, as the study also showed that people born before 1918 harbor antibodies that protect against the new H1N1 virus.
And it is possible, he adds, that the virus could become even more pathogenic as the current pandemic runs its course and the virus evolves to acquire new features. It is now flu season in the world's southern hemisphere, and the virus is expected to return in force to the northern hemisphere during the fall and winter flu season.
To assess the pathogenic nature of the H1N1 virus, Kawaoka and his colleagues infected different groups of mice, ferrets and non-human primates — all widely accepted models for studies of influenza — with the pandemic virus and a seasonal flu virus. They found that the H1N1 virus replicates much more efficiently in the respiratory system than seasonal flu and causes severe lesions in the lungs similar to those caused by other more virulent types of pandemic flu.
"When we conducted the experiments in ferrets and monkeys, the seasonal virus did not replicate in the lungs," Kawaoka explains. "The H1N1 virus replicates significantly better in the lungs."
The new study was conducted with samples of the virus obtained from patients in California, Wisconsin, the Netherlands and Japan.
The new Nature report also assessed the immune response of different groups to the new virus. The most intriguing finding, according to Kawaoka, is that those people exposed to the 1918 virus, all of whom are now in advanced old age, have antibodies that neutralize the H1N1 virus. "The people who have high antibody titers are the people born before 1918," he notes.
Kawaoka says that while finding the H1N1 virus to be a more serious pathogen than previously reported is worrisome, the new study also indicates that existing and experimental antiviral drugs can form an effective first line of defense against the virus and slow its spread.
There are currently three approved antiviral compounds, according to Kawaoka, whose team tested the efficacy of two of those compounds and the two experimental antiviral drugs in mice. "The existing and experimental drugs work well in animal models, suggesting they will work in humans," Kawaoka says.
Antiviral drugs are viewed as a first line of defense, as the development and production of mass quantities of vaccines take months at best.

Pandemic Flu Can Infect Cells Deep In The Lungs

Pandemic swine flu can infect cells deeper in the lungs than seasonal flu can, according to a new study published today in Nature Biotechnology. The researchers, from Imperial College London, say this may explain why people infected with the pandemic strain of swine-origin H1N1 influenza are more likely to suffer more severe symptoms than those infected with the seasonal strain of H1N1. They also suggest that scientists should monitor the current pandemic H1N1 influenza virus for changes in the way it infects cells that could make infections more serious
Influenza viruses infect cells by attaching to bead-like molecules on the outside of the cell, called receptors. Different viruses attach to different receptors, and if a virus cannot find its specific receptors, it cannot get into the cell. Once inside the cell, the virus uses the cell's machinery to make thousands more viruses, which then burst out of the cell and infect neighbouring ones, establishing an infection.
Seasonal influenza viruses attach to receptors found on cells in the nose, throat and upper airway, enabling them to infect a person's respiratory tract. Today's research, which was funded by the Wellcome Trust, the Medical Research Council and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, shows that pandemic H1N1 swine flu can also attach to a receptor found on cells deep inside the lungs, which can result in a more severe lung infection.
The pandemic influenza virus's ability to stick to the additional receptors may explain why the virus replicates and spreads between cells more quickly: if a flu virus can bind to more than one type of receptor, it can attach itself to a larger area of the respiratory tract, infecting more cells and causing a more serious infection.
Professor Ten Feizi, a corresponding author of today's paper from the Division of Medicine at Imperial College London, said: "Most people infected with swine-origin flu in the current pandemic have experienced relatively mild symptoms. However, some people have had more severe lung infections, which can be worse than those caused by seasonal flu. Our new research shows how the virus does this - by attaching to receptors mostly found on cells deep in the lungs. This is something seasonal flu cannot do."
The researchers found that pandemic H1N1 influenza bound more weakly to the receptors in the lungs than to those in the upper respiratory tract. This is why most people infected with the virus have experienced mild symptoms. However, the researchers are concerned that the virus could mutate to bind more strongly to these receptors.
"If the flu virus mutates in the future, it may attach to the receptors deep inside the lungs more strongly, and this could mean that more people would experience serious symptoms. We think scientists should be on the lookout for these kinds of changes in the virus so we can try to find ways of minimising the impact of such changes," added Professor Feizi.
The researchers compared the way seasonal and pandemic H1N1 flu viruses infect cells by identifying which receptors each virus binds to. To do this, the researchers used a glass surface with 86 different receptors attached to it, called a carbohydrate microarray. When viruses were added to the glass surface, they stuck to their specific receptors and the corresponding areas on the plate 'lit up'. This meant the researchers could see which receptors the different viruses attached to.
Pandemic H1H1 influenza could bind strongly to receptors called α2-6, which are found in the nose, throat and upper airway, and it could also attach more weakly to α2-3 receptors, which are found on cells deeper inside the lungs. However, seasonal H1N1 influenza could only attach to α2-6.
"Receptor binding determines how well a virus spreads between cells and causes an infection," said Professor Feizi. "Our new study adds to our understanding of how swine-origin influenza H1N1 virus is behaving in the current pandemic, and shows us changes we need to look out for."

1918 Flu Resulted In Current Lineage Of H1N1 Swine Influenza Viruses

In 1918 a human influenza virus known as the Spanish flu spread through the central United States while a swine respiratory disease occurred concurrently. A Kansas State University researcher has found that the virus causing the pandemic was able to infect and replicate in pigs, but did not kill them, unlike in other mammalian hosts like monkeys, mice and ferrets where the infection has been lethal.
Juergen A. Richt, Regents Distinguished Professor of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology at K-State's College of Veterinary Medicine, studied the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic with colleagues from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Mount Sinai School of Medicine.
Their research supports the hypothesis that the 1918 pandemic influenza virus and the virus causing the swine flu were the same. Richt said the virus was able to infect and replicate in swine and cause mild respiratory disease. The 1918 virus spread through the pig population, adapted to the swine and resulted in the current lineage of the H1N1 swine influenza viruses. The researchers' study is published in the May 2009 Journal of Virology.
"This study emphasizes that an influenza virus, which is known to induce a lethal infection in ferrets and macaques, is not highly virulent in pigs, indicating a potential resistance of swine to highly virulent influenza viruses," Richt said. "It also suggests that pigs could have played a role in maintaining and spreading the 1918 human pandemic influenza virus."
Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza among the animals and can be transmitted to humans. It is a typical zoonotic agent. While swine flu was first recognized as a disease in 1918, there also were reports of the influenza occurring in the Midwest in 1930.
For the study, the researchers used the 1918 pandemic virus and a 1930 H1N1 influenza virus for experimental infections in swine. The 1930 virus was chosen as a virus because it is thought to be a descendent of the 1918 virus, Richt said.
The researchers did not find a significant difference in effects from the 1918 and 1930 viruses in infected pigs. This was surprising, since the 1918 virus killed more than 20 million people and was lethal to ferrets, mice and macaques. Another surprising finding from the study was the rapid antibody response in the animals infected with the 1918 virus, which is not typically reported for the swine influenza virus.
Richt said he plans to conduct a follow-up project that will study what makes a swine flu virus a pandemic flu virus.
The researchers conducted the study in the biosafety-level 4 laboratory and animal cubicle at the National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease in Canada.