Bird Flu Vaccine

Glaxo, eurozones biggest pharma has a bird flu vaccine ready for human use. This is great news. The prepandemic cure is now available in all of europe.

In fact, now we can defend ourselves from the deadly H5N1 virus. An influenza pandemic could kill millions worldwide. In 1919 it is estimated the over 100 milion p;eople died, more than WWI.

Experts are worried that the H5N1 bird flu might mutate into a hypervirulent strain capable of spreading thru human to human contact. Thus we need the vaccine to be ready before the virus mutates.

Bird Flu - 2 infected in UK

Two people got sick with bird flu in Wales due to a visit to a chicken farm. Thankfully, it was the much weaker H7N2 version of bird flu, not the deadly H5N1 that has infected 307 people worldwide killing over 50% OF THOSE AFFECTED!

It seems that this outbreak was caught in time. Still, these viruses can mutate turning into stronger more virulent forms. Already H5N1 has caused the death of 160,000 turkeys in the UK.

First Bird Flu Vaccine

FDA will OK first bird flu vaccine for use in humans this year. So far the H5N1 Avian Influenza has infected over 300 people killing over 50% of those affected with this deadly contagion.

Although the bird flu vaccine is not perfect it is our first line defense against a disease that if it mutates into super virulent form could kill billions. The news of a vaccine is very welcome.

The government plans to stockpile enough vaccine for twenty million people. We should ask for a more robust response. This disease is spread by infected birds, they are the carriers. An effective strategy would be to destroy infected birds to stop the spread of the deadly H5N1 avian influenza.