Oct 17, 2007
Is flu vaccination a shot in the dark? Regular readers will recall the recent debate on multiple vaccines, statistics, and risk we had here in September. I also have rather close personal experience of one of the risks associated with having the annual flu vaccine - Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). This autoimmune disorder is purportedly associated with a respiratory or gastrointestinal tract infection although there is a statistical risk …
Feb 5, 2007
Kleenex is out, disposable arm bands are not yet de rigeur, so what’s the alternative when you just have to sneeze or cough? Use your sleeve, that’s what. It’s the most effective way to reduce the spread of cold and flu viruses. Coughing into the open air without covering your mouth simply releases a myriad of viral and bacterial particles into the air around you. If there’s no one else …
Feb 3, 2007
UK government vets have confirmed infection with the H5N1 strain of avian influenza in 2600 turkeys that died on a Suffolk farm owned by the Bernard Matthews company. The 159,000 turkey flock will have to be culled with all the risks that entails to prevent the disease spreading further.
According to a statement from the European Commission a protection zone of 3 km radius and …
Dec 19, 2006
Over on foreignpolicy.com they’re reporting the Top Ten non-News Stories of 2006. Among their picks is the non-story of bird flu, or avian influenza as it’s more correctly known. In case you missed it, we didn’t all die of bird flu again this year. However, there were a few people who, having got so scared of the tiny risk that they might catch the H5N1 strain of the disease began taking Tamiflu prophalactically. More …
Dec 15, 2006
A long protein tail found in all influenza A virus raises the possibility of novel drugs that can grab on to it and stop the virus in its tracks. The protein tail is present in common human influenza A which kills thousands of people every year as well as rare forms such as bird flu.
US scientists used crystallography to study the long flexible tail of the influenza virus’ nucleoprotein. They found that even seemingly …
Dec 14, 2006
With the holiday season almost upon us, that means only one thing, flu is also on its way and if the scaremongers are to be believed the long-forewarned bird flu epidemic might follow in its wake any time soon.
Now, US researchers have put to work the 15-ton 900 MHz NMR machine at Florida State U to help them figure out the mechanics of infection by influenza A virus. The common human form of the disease …
Dec 12, 2006
Reuters this week reported that poultry farmers should make sure to prevent sparrows, starlings, and pigeons from entering chicken houses because they could potentially infect poultry with the H5N1 bird flu virus.
I suppose that does make sense, but sounds rather impractical. Small birds have an amazing ability to worm (is that a suitable word?) their way into even the smallest of openings. Chimneys and vents are absolutely no problem for sparrows. It’s …
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Nature Reviews Drug Discovery publishes the highest-quality reviews and perspectives plus news stories and features that investigate key issues in drug discovery...moreover if you check my resume, you'll see that the magazine is in my client list. more info...
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