Health officials admit difficulties in developing cure for avian flu
03/05/2008 | 04:47 PM
MANILA, Philippines - Health officials on Wednesday admitted that developing a vaccine that could stop the avian flu virus would be difficult because of the ever-changing strains of the virus.
In a press briefing, Health Sec. Francisco Duque III said that while authorities are have put in place all the needed precautionary measures to prevent an avian flu pandemic in the country, curing the illness remains impossible.
“It is hard to develop a vaccine for the avian flu because its virus is constantly evolving from
time-to-time. It would be a waste of time and money to develop what would be ineffective vaccines because it will not be able to effectively neutralize the virus," Duque said, noting that vaccines should be targeted to the specific case of the viral infection.
Not having an exact antidote could otherwise cause more complication than cure, he added.
But Duque said the good news is that until now, there has been no reported case of bird flu in the country considering our proximity with Singapore and Brunei, where cases of avian flu were recorded.
The avian flu virus, also known as the H5N1 virus, is an emerging illness that has been causing global concern for having the potential of causing a pandemic. The virus is normally carried by birds and fowls.
“We are fortunate that there has been no reported case of AI (avian influenza) yet in the Philippines. We have yet to create the exact vaccines that will respond to the specific cases of the viral infection," Duque said.
However, Duque said it is imperative for health officials to remain prepared in case the virus spreads in the country.
Currently, the Department of Health together with the World Health Organization, is conducting an exercise known as Panstop, which is a rapid containment effort, designed to assess the country's ability to contain a potential influenza pandemic.
"We are glad that the country’s vigilance against any flu pandemic will be put to the test. The Panstop II exercise will enable key government players to test preparedness and coordination among all parties involved, especially with regard to the ability to mobilize country resources and stockpiles in times of an actual pandemic," added Duque.
"WHO's role in the exercise, meanwhile, is to provide technical support and to help assess the effectiveness and feasibility of a rapid containment strategy," said Dr Soe Nyunt-U, WHO Representative in the Philippines.
Panstop II involves in-country coordination, including the ability to move resources and personnel to contain the spread of the disease. The exercise aims to assess rapid containment capabilities, involving risk assessment, communications, decision-making within offices of the Department of Health and between agencies and departments of the Philippine government.
Panstop I, held in April 2007, involved Cambodia.
Panstop II is expected to yield practical information about the efficiency of procedures, discover gaps in planning and coordination, build on strengths, and identify opportunities for improvement of rapid containment planning. - GMANews.TV
In a press briefing, Health Sec. Francisco Duque III said that while authorities are have put in place all the needed precautionary measures to prevent an avian flu pandemic in the country, curing the illness remains impossible.
“It is hard to develop a vaccine for the avian flu because its virus is constantly evolving from
time-to-time. It would be a waste of time and money to develop what would be ineffective vaccines because it will not be able to effectively neutralize the virus," Duque said, noting that vaccines should be targeted to the specific case of the viral infection.
Not having an exact antidote could otherwise cause more complication than cure, he added.
But Duque said the good news is that until now, there has been no reported case of bird flu in the country considering our proximity with Singapore and Brunei, where cases of avian flu were recorded.
The avian flu virus, also known as the H5N1 virus, is an emerging illness that has been causing global concern for having the potential of causing a pandemic. The virus is normally carried by birds and fowls.
“We are fortunate that there has been no reported case of AI (avian influenza) yet in the Philippines. We have yet to create the exact vaccines that will respond to the specific cases of the viral infection," Duque said.
However, Duque said it is imperative for health officials to remain prepared in case the virus spreads in the country.
Currently, the Department of Health together with the World Health Organization, is conducting an exercise known as Panstop, which is a rapid containment effort, designed to assess the country's ability to contain a potential influenza pandemic.
"We are glad that the country’s vigilance against any flu pandemic will be put to the test. The Panstop II exercise will enable key government players to test preparedness and coordination among all parties involved, especially with regard to the ability to mobilize country resources and stockpiles in times of an actual pandemic," added Duque.
"WHO's role in the exercise, meanwhile, is to provide technical support and to help assess the effectiveness and feasibility of a rapid containment strategy," said Dr Soe Nyunt-U, WHO Representative in the Philippines.
Panstop II involves in-country coordination, including the ability to move resources and personnel to contain the spread of the disease. The exercise aims to assess rapid containment capabilities, involving risk assessment, communications, decision-making within offices of the Department of Health and between agencies and departments of the Philippine government.
Panstop I, held in April 2007, involved Cambodia.
Panstop II is expected to yield practical information about the efficiency of procedures, discover gaps in planning and coordination, build on strengths, and identify opportunities for improvement of rapid containment planning. - GMANews.TV
