MPH84 : Message: WHO: Chance to prepare for a pandemic before it arrives, for the first time in human Hx

"For the first time in human history, we have a chance to prepare ourselves for a pandemic before it arrives," says Dr Chan. 4 Nov 05

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2005/pr56/en/index.html

Global meeting in WHO GVA 7-10 November 2005

http://www.who.int/dg/lee/speeches/2005/flupandemicgeneva/en/index.html

WHO home page on disease

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/index.html

Potential Impact of Antiviral Drug Use during Influenza Pandemic
Emerging Infectious Diseases 2005 Sep;11(9):1355-1362.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol11no09/04-1344.htm

The recent spread of highly pathogenic strains of avian influenza has highlighted the threat posed by pandemic influenza. In the early phases of a pandemic, the only treatment available would be neuraminidase inhibitors, which many countries are considering stockpiling for pandemic use. We estimate the effect on hospitalization rates of using different antiviral stockpile sizes to treat infection. We estimate that stockpiles that cover 20%–25% of the population would be sufficient to treat most of the clinical cases and could lead to 50% to 77% reductions in hospitalizations. Substantial reductions in hospitalization could be achieved with smaller antiviral stockpiles if drugs are reserved for persons at high risk.

Cost-Benefit of Stockpiling Drugs for Influenza Pandemic
Emerging Infectious Diseases 2005 Aug;11(8):1280-1282.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol11no08/04-1156.htm

We analyzed strategies for the use of stockpiled antiviral drugs in the context of a future influenza pandemic and estimated cost-benefit ratios. Current stockpiling of oseltamivir appears to be cost-saving to the economy under several treatment strategies, including therapeutic treatment of patients and postexposure prophylactic treatment of patients' close contacts.

Flu drugs (including Tamiflu) by NIH

http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/fludrugs.htm

Flu drugs (including Tamiflu) by FDA

http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/antivirals/influenza/default.htm

The official U.S. government Web site for information on pandemic flu and avian influenza.

http://pandemicflu.gov/

CDC home page

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/

US Administration’s Preparation for Avian Flu; Fact sheet Oct 14, 2005

http://www.democrats.reform.house.gov/Documents/20051014103607-58489.pdf

Obtain and provide accurate information: do not be swayed by media hype

Influenza pandemics and avian flu