Possible Swine Flu Mutations

Norway and Britain may have some troubling news regarding the Swine Flu.

A National Emergency of the Swine flu may be improving, at least for now.

Obviously, the Swine flu is far from over. A peak may be seen in America and in Western Europe. The wave of infections seems to be increasing in Eastern Europe and Asia.

Over 6,700 deaths worldwide have been recorded as a direct result of the Swine Flu.

Though, it has been argued, cases may increase in January and several peaks could be seen in the typical single flu season whether human flu or H1N1.

There are “early signs of a peak in disease activity in some areas of the northern hemisphere,” the WHO said in a statement.

Drug-Resistant Swine Flu

The real concern or next phase of concern may be moving to a possible drug resistance by the swine flu virus in certain countries.  The spread of this strain may be occurring in Great Britain.

Importantly, this does not mean a resistance to the vaccine!!

5 individuals in Wales were found to be resistant to the antiviral drug “Tami-flu” from companies Roche AG and Gilead Sciences Inc

These patients did have success with a different antiviral from other companies GlaxoSmithKline and Biota Inc’s “Relenza”.

Each of these patients also had serious immune problems that may have given the strain an opportunity to develop resistance.

Another outbreak is being investigated in Norway where a strain of H1N1 may have mutated causing symptoms that were worse than expected and rather severe.

Recently the Norwegian Institute of Public Health reported that the virus may be able to go deeper into the respiratory system as a result, the symptoms were more serious.

The virus mutation was found on autopsy of two individuals that had died from the Swine flu.

Norway has seen a larger number of deaths per population when compared to other European countries.

Swine Flu Available Vaccines

World production continues to move forward when it comes to the  H1N1 vaccinations.   But truthfully, the world population and the number of vaccines available is quite large.  It is unlikely that a bridge will be able to connect the two sides any time soon.

The United States and several other countries are far behind where they would like to be.  Some countries report a shortage in the vaccine production.   Currently 44 million doses have been shipped so far.    This is only 30% of the anticipated amount.

Plateau

Several countries including the Untied States and Western Europe have experienced a decrease in number of new cases of the Swine flu within the past few weeks.

The question is whether this is a shift or a plateau.  Eastern European countries and Asia have seen an increase in cases.

The next few weeks will be telling for the projection of Swine Flu cases in the New year.

Swine Flu Update

Vaccine Production for the Swine Flu is less than adequate then expected and desired by the public.

According to the CDC, over 1,000 deaths have been attributed to the Swine flu with 100 of those being children.

20,000 hospitalizations are attributed as well. Almost all states have serious flu activity. All but 3 or 4 are largely affected.

Worldwide almost 5,000 deaths have been reported but this may be only a small amount of related deaths.

A  recently signed document by President Barack Obama in attempts to allow certain changes in medical standards with regards to Swine Flu vaccine production.

It is unknown if this will decrease standards of production or the testing with regards to the Swine Flu.   Swine flu is definitely “heating up”.

President Obama believes that this is a critical point in treatment for the Swine Flu. Restrictions of  Medicaid and medicare may also be relaxed as well.

A big question regarding this recent change is the relation between the number of current vaccinations available and a possible emergency status of the Swine Flu. Recent discussions with the White House insists that it is not related to the obvious decrease in expected vaccines available.

The fight against the Swine Flu is just beginning and although we are currently behind our own expectations.

Swine Flu Vaccine Awarded First Contract

Immunization for the swine flu is big money.. Just ask Protein Science, a biopharmaceutical company who was apparently awarded 35 million dollars for bringing out the first 100,000 doses of the Swine flu vaccine.

But are state health sites or the government ready to open a neighborhood clinics to start giving out a swine flu shot today. Of course not, they are at least a few months from that point. The current doses in circulation have not yet been tested and are only in the development stages. Clinical trials await in the extremely near future.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced last week the contract with Protein Sciences. The contract includes this year and may include an additional 5 years. The total contract may be worth 147 million dollars.

Caterpillar cells were infected by Protein Science with a virus that had been enhanced with a specific gene called a “hemagluttinin“. This gene is often found on the surface of the influenza virus. This new technology is comparatively different than the traditional mode of vaccine development.

Protein Science’s ability to make this vaccine quicker results from insect use, rather than the traditional route of a “seed strain“. Seed strains are typically done by creating a Hybrid virus. In the case of the Swine flu, the hybrid contains the H1 and N1 aspects of the influenza virus. The incubator is chicken eggs. Typically the process is highly involved with seven rounds of engineering the virus into an egg for harvesting.

Creation of a vaccine for H1n1 – Swine flu will not fall only on Protein Science. Another company Sanofi-Pasteurwhich has received a seed strain and has also begun development. Sanofi is the largest producer of the flu vaccine currently. Several other companies continue in the development of H1N1 vaccine that will enter into the testing stages. The race is not over yet.

Qld uni from Australia has reported its initial 1,000 doses that will only be used for research with the expectation that a working drug may be ready by the end of the year.

Are we moving too fast??

It is expected that the clinical stage may test the vaccine with to shots with 2 or 3 or even 4 week cycle. This will allow a subject to be monitored and their immune system enough time to develop immunity. It will be necessary to determine the human safety involved, the immunological response of antibodies, and the side effects of the vaccine. Even at the 4 weeks we may be pushing too hard.

But what would happen if the pandemic suddenly becomes worse. Would a company or government be inclined to speed up the process. Maybe wait only 1 week or less. It could reasonably take weeks to months to adequately test the vaccine in a manner relatively safe.

Several major questions:

1.)    Who should be the first to get the vaccine? [hospital workers or extremely sick patients]

2.)   Which states first?

3.)   Do we base it on population size or ratio of Swine flu cases??

4.)   Should we plan on vaccinating all 300 million Americans

5.)   What is the groundwork plan in states and counties?

6.)   Which countries should be included?

7.)   Cost?

8.)   What’s the effectiveness of the vaccine?

9.)   Should adjuvants be used?

10.)   Will there be another wave of swine flu?

Adjuvants

Are immune potentiators or immunomodulators that are added to vaccines with the hope to improve the immune response. It has been argued that these products can improve, enhance, accelerate, and even prolong the response of the vaccine.

The severity and amount of the vaccine may force many pharmaceutical companies to adding an adjuvant to the vaccine. This would allow the vaccine to be shared with several other countries.

Examples of adjuvants include: salts, oils, lipids, microbial derivatives, human immunomodulators (cytokines), gold particles and others.

Adjuvants have been seen to act along with the vaccine to allow and improve the desired effect.

Ajuvants may be used in the Swine flu. GlaxoSmithKline Inc. which has received Canada’s pandemic vaccine contract has indicated that they will strongly consider using an adjuvant in their vaccines. In addition to the action of the vaccine it may also speed up the time it takes for the company to produce enough vaccine for the entire county.

However – some argue that once the process has begun the adjuvants may become essential – but the time for the initial production of the vaccine might double or more.

Bankruptcy a possibility??

In concerning news regarding Protein Sciences – just a day prior to receiving the contract – Creditors for Protein Sciences Corporation filed a petition to force them into bankruptcy and liquidation. This calls into concern the stability of the company that has been given the company who has been awarded the contract for production of the Swine flu vaccine.

It does appear that the government has done several internal audits into the company and it was determine that Protein Sciences are financially stable enough to continue in the development of the vaccine.

Originally seen at: Swine Flu Vaccine Awarded First Contract

Several additional stories:

http://www.proteinsciences.com/aboutus/aboutus_news.htm

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/06/29/2611426.htm

http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=197637

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/24/business/24vaccine.html

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/tall-hurdles-in-race-for-a-swine-flu-vaccine/article1197368

What is the Swine flu and why is it such a concern??

What is the Swine flu and why is it such a concern??

-   The Swine flu is a type of  Influenza
-   Influenza is a type of virus from a class of viruses called Orthomyxoviruses
-   There are 5 main types of this virus and the swine influenza is a subtype of one of the 5.
-   Influenza A is the major player in many flu symptoms and epidemics each year
-   As history speaks this type of virus can be very dangerous
-   Caution should be prudent but at this time not enough is known for a panic

Why is it called the Swine Virus?

-   Some virus affect only animals and some affect both animals and humans
-   This specific virus has some Swine DNA and can affect both pigs and humans
-   It can be referred to as Swine-Origin Influenza A (H1N1)
-   Recently name was changed by CDC to Influenza A H1N1

Has the Swine Flu ever been seen before?

-   Unfortunately yes
-   The Spanish Flu of 1918 saw the death of over 50 million people due to a Swine influenza
-   It was somewhat different in subtype then the current virus of 2009
-   Influenza C can also be found in swine but is not at risk during this outbreak
-   It is typically rather rare

What makes this virus different?

-   It is made up of several strains
-   H1N1 – is made up of two seperate swine influenza virus, one avian influenza virus and humun influenza virus

Are there other influenza type virus?

Yes:
1.)  Swine Influenza
2.)  Avian [Bird] Influenza
3.)  Horse Influenza
4.)  Dog Influenza

What can we do?

Prevention is the key

-   Wash hands
-   Limit touching face and eyes
-   Limit contact with those who are sick
-   Don’t overreact

References include:

CDC:   http://www.cdc.gov
Wikipedia:   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_flu

Originally seen at http://www.iahealth.net/swine-flu