Fighting the Scourge

World Health Organization (WHO) has developedagreement to stockpile antivirals, evidence-based
pharmacological advice for the use of antiviralguidelines for their use do not exist."
treatments for highly pathogenic avian influenza.The WHO convened an international panel to develop
There is a high price to pay when it comes to massevidence-based guidelines for pharmacological
production of food stuff especially one of animaltreatment of H5N1 patients, evaluating the benefits,
origin. Poultry has come under pandemic attacksharms, burden, and cost of interventions in several
leading to widespread human afflictions a number ofpatient and exposure groups.
times. Avian Influenza or bird flu is the one that justThe group agreed on a number of strong
refuses to go away. Not in spurt for the time being,recommendations relating to treatment of H5N1
however it continues to take its toll. According to apatients in a non-pandemic situation, as the poultry
poultry news source, the World Health Organizationnews source information goes.
(WHO) has developed pharmacological advice for thePatients should receive oseltamivir treatment as soon
use of antiviral treatments for highly pathogenic avianas possible. Another line of treatment being Tamiflu
influenza, according to a report in the January 2007has been found to be very effective. The
issue of The Lancet Infectious Diseases.recommendations of the group being - if
According to the information available, "Recentneuraminidase inhibitors are available, clinicians should
spread of avian influenza A (H5N1) virus to poultrynot administer amantadine or rimantadine alone as a
and wild birds has increased the threat of humanfirst-line of treatment; high-risk exposure groups
infections with H5N1 virus worldwide," write Holger J.should receive oseltamivir as chemoprophylaxis
Schünemann, MD, and colleagues from thecontinuing for 7 to 10 days after the last known
WHO Rapid Advice Guideline Panel on Avian Influenza.exposure.
The information adds that "despite international