Avian Flu Preparedness Project

Freepers. ^ | July 29, 2005 | various FReepers

[EBH]

I just checked at drugstore.com and the price on 10 pills of Tamiflu was over a hundred dollars with shipping. Expensive stuff that's a significant jump in price, no?

[Judith Anne]

Thanks for the information, from each of you.

Tamiflu is the one most recommended, afaik. But that price is really high! It is a steep jump in price, a month or so ago it was $60 for 10 pills.

Amantadine is far less expensive. As to whether or not it will work as well as Tamiflu, that is open to conjecture. Apparently, some Chinese farmers were said to be giving it to their birds routinely, in much the same way we give antibiotics to our farm animals. There was speculation that the human to human transmission Avian flu, if it developed in these animals, would be resistant as a result of that.

But Jakarta is the "hot" area for H5N1 outbreaks right now, and as far as I know, amantadine is still effective. Relenza has some side effects, including asthma esp in people who are prone to it...actually, they all have side effects.

I'm going to go check CIDRAP and see if they have any info on amantadine's effectiveness. BRB.

PS, Disclaimer: this is online information readily available to anyone who cares to look. I am speaking as an ordinary citizen with no special knowledge here, if you have a medical problem, please consult your doctor.

[Judith Anne]

Okay, here's a recent commentary from Recombinomics.com:

However, the H5N1 being spread in Russia, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia has brought the amantadines into the antiviral spotlight. 16 sequences from Qingahi Lake in China have been published, and none have amantadine resistance markers. Similarities in sequences between isolates from Qinghai Lake in China and Chany Lake in Russia suggest that most or all sequences of H5N1 from wild birds are amantadine sensitive. The amantadines are sold as Symmetrel (amantadine) and Flumadine (rimantadine) and are much less expensive and more widely available because they are off patent and sold by generic drug companies. Although resistance can develop, thus far there is no evidence of resistance in H5N1 from wild birds in the countries listed above.

Because the amantadines target one gene (M2) and the neuraminidase inhibitors target another gene (NA), the two drugs can be taken together and will compliment each other, as long as both targeted genes are susceptible to each drug class.

Can be found on line at:

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/09170502/Tamiflu_Amantadine_Prevention.html

[M. Espinola]

I did see 'Nova',or maybe it was 'Wide Angle' (PBS). It was astonishing to view to total lack of concern by those interviewed in south or north Vietnam when there were confirmed cases of Bird Flu and these people knew it but could have cared less.

We have the same element in this country and every other nation - they refuse to take medical, weather, economic or others warnings seriously, until they themselves are stuck in the midst of the storm. Even then this type will blame the messenger.

Those of us here and elsewhere taking this virus on a serious note can and are assisting one another with vital data and medical updates.

[Judith Anne]

PS, I didn't find anything about Tamiflu or amantadine at the CIDRAP site.

[steve86]

none have amantadine resistance markers.

That is terrific to know. Looks like I wrote off amantadine too soon. Thanks for doing the research, you may have just saved some lives (in the FR readership)!

[steve86]

Not avian but canine...

Dogs Getting Flu In South Florida

POSTED: 4:51 pm EDT September 21, 2005

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- A strain of the flu is spreading across Florida -- but this form of influenza attacks dogs, not people.

Florida agriculture officials said they are seeing a jump in the number of cases of canine influenza being reported at shelters, boarding facilities and clinics.

The cases are being reported across the state, especially in South Florida.

The respiratory disease causes symptoms similar to kennel cough but is more serious. Officials said canine influenza usually requires the attention of a veterinarian.

The virus is highly contagious.

The state is concerned that the spread of the virus could increase as Hurricane Katrina evacuees temporarily relocate to Florida with their pets.

Some develop more acute symptoms and among those dogs the mortality rate is between one and five percent.

Canine flu is a newly emerging disease that was identified recently in racing greyhounds by University of Florida researchers.

[M. Espinola]

Your listing of preparational items is excellent.

Some of us have personally gone through 9-11, blackouts in the summer heat, hurricanes, Northeasters, and floods, all of which disruptive to our use of electricity to certain degrees. The items you listed mentioned are common sense in any of these disasters.

We have recently witnessed, in various portions of the nation, sudden and massive price increases at the gas station, including 'shortages', and in my opinion, blatant price gouging in a number of geographical zones, making matters far worse. The current hurricane, Rita, contingent of any energy supply disruptions, may also result in another round pump price pain come this weekend, thus in addition to the items mentioned keeping the gas tank filled is also strongly advised (at current prices).

The point is the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu may only be 'overseas' currently but could spread worldwide and triggering a panic, and not only in medicine.

This is a question: In the future once Bird Flu mutates and is indeed transferable human to human, could homicidal, al-Qaida type fanatics, knowingly infected with Bird Flu be used as walking, coughing transmitters of this virus on trains, planes and office buildings?

News Updates:

Brussels urges joint action to stop bird flu (The Financial Times 9-21-05)

('The European Commission is pushing for an international donors' conference on bird flu to help Asian countries combat the disease and prevent a global pandemic. The move reflects growing concern in Brussels that more funding must be directed to impoverished south-east Asian countries to help stop the disease spreading to Europe.')

Indonesia on brink of bird flu epidemic (Queensland Newspapers-Courier Mail 9-22-05)

('FEARS of a possibly uncontrollable bird flu outbreak were sweeping Indonesia last night after the Government warned of a potential epidemic.')

[steve86]

In the future once Bird Flu mutates and is indeed transferable human to human, could homicidal, al-Qaida type fanatics, knowingly infected with Bird Flu be used as walking, coughing transmitters of this virus on trains, planes and office buildings?

I suppose but it really wouldn't be necessary. Plenty of carriers with no malevolent intentions.

[steve86]

I hope it doesn't ever get to the point we need an Avian Flu FReeper Sign-In Thread.

[EBH]

Indonesia fears bird flu epidemic
September 21, 2005 - 7:49PM

...Fears of a possibly uncontrollable bird flu outbreak were sweeping Indonesia tonight after the government warned of a potential epidemic.

Expatriates and Indonesians rushed to buy anti-viral drugs and stocks dwindled. Some major Jakarta clinics said they had none and drugs specifically targeted at bird flu are not yet available in Indonesia.

Australia's embassy in Jakarta instructed Australians living in Indonesia, or planning to visit, to obtain supplies of the drug from overseas as a precaution.

In Jakarta today, Health Minister Siti Fadillah Supari said there was a danger avian influenza in the country of 220 million people could reach epidemic levels...

...The strain has also spread to Russia and Europe...

...Many people stayed clear of poultry markets and newspapers carried banner headlines asking: ``Is it time to panic?''.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) this week warned a global pandemic of the virus would be virtually impossible to stop if it mutated into a form which could easily jump between humans.

``It's obvious that a pandemic will occur, all the conditions are in place,'' WHO director general Lee Jong-Wook said. ``The problem now is time.''

A spokeswoman for the Australian embassy in Jakarta said Australian expatriates registered with the mission were being advised to stock up on anti-viral drugs.
``We urge Australians to look at the travel warnings,'' she told AAP.

``As a precautionary measure we are basically advising Australians to have access to a stock of avian influenza vaccine, as long-term residents are at greater risk of exposure to avian influenza over time.''

...Separately, she said a medical clinic attached to the embassy was advising Australians to have an influenza shot to help rule out ordinary flu as a cause if they became ill...

...It also allowed patients with symptoms of the disease to be forcibly admitted to hospitals.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/indonesia-fears-bird-flu-epidemic/2005/09/21/1126982108980.html

---

Key phrases were snipped from the main article that may contain information vital to your preparations, precautions, and general information. Also it provides a glimpse into what things may look and sound like in the coming months.

[Judith Anne]

I agree with your point that there is no reason for any terrorist to try to spread Avian Flu. The virus can do the job all by itself.

[Judith Anne]

Jakarta has caught my attention today, too...

[little jeremiah]

"advising Australians to have access to a stock of avian influenza vaccine..."

And is there one? I haven't read that there actually is one yet. Unless they mean humans taking chicken meds?

[M. Espinola]

"I suppose but it really wouldn't be necessary. Plenty of carriers with no malevolent intentions."

I wonder if moving to someplace like Greenland would help? :)

[Judith Anne]

Are there any birds there?

[Cindy]

That's interesting BearWash.

Do you have handy a url to this dog flu problem?
Thanks.

(I'm lazy.)

[EBH]

There were several interesting phrases listed, note these all came from ONE article so who knows how accurate the reporting is. We have all learned reporters are notorious for being unable to report this kind of stuff accurtely.

The strain has also spread to Russia and Europe... Australians to have access to a stock of avian influenza vaccine...forcibly admitted to hospitals

It is all pretty scarey stuff.

[steve86]

Hi Cindy. Unfortunately I got distracted and did the Firefox 1.0.7 upgrade right about that time and lost it. Take that back -- here is the page -- you may have to look under local and regional stories.

http://www.local6.com/news/5000311/detail.html

[steve86]

Amantadine has the name SYMMETREL on many pharmacy web sites.