The wonderful Peter Yang
Latest Swine flu news update
June 13th 2009 08:37
Swine flu vaccine ready for trial: manufacturer
Posted Fri Jun 12, 2009 10:10pm AEST
Updated Sat Jun 13, 2009 12:40am AEST
The virus has so far infected almost 30,000 people in 74 countries. (AAP: Julian Smith, file photo)
While millions could catch the flu, governments and health experts around the world have sought to play down fears that swine flu could become a major killer.
The virus has so far infected almost 30,000 people in 74 countries and claimed 145 lives since it was first detected in Mexico in April, according to WHO figures.
Swiss drugs firm Novartis says it has completed a first batch of vaccine for pre-clinical trials and aims to make a version available in about four months.
"Novartis has successfully completed the production of the first batch of influenza A H1N1 [swine flu] vaccine, weeks ahead of expectations," the company said in a statement.
The batch "will be used for pre-clinical evaluation and testing and is also being considered for use in clinical trials," it said.
Novartis hopes to start the trials in July and to gain a licence soon after. It said more than 30 governments had already asked for swine flu "vaccine ingredients".
The UN health agency raised its global alert to a maximum six on Thursday after experts agreed that swine flu has reached pandemic status because of its geographical spread.
WHO director-general Margaret Chan said the declaration of a "moderate" pandemic should not spark panic and did not mean the swine flu death toll would rise sharply.
She said raising the alert "means that the world is moving into the early days of its first influenza pandemic in the 21st century."
The WHO said it would ask drug-makers to quickly prepare to produce swine flu vaccines once the production of seasonal flu vaccine ends.
The Southern Hemisphere is currently heading toward winter and the height of its flu season. Northern Hemisphere countries expect to see a swine flu surge when its winter starts later.
(This article is copy from www.abc.net.au)
Posted Fri Jun 12, 2009 10:10pm AEST
Updated Sat Jun 13, 2009 12:40am AEST
The virus has so far infected almost 30,000 people in 74 countries. (AAP: Julian Smith, file photo)
While millions could catch the flu, governments and health experts around the world have sought to play down fears that swine flu could become a major killer.
The virus has so far infected almost 30,000 people in 74 countries and claimed 145 lives since it was first detected in Mexico in April, according to WHO figures.
Swiss drugs firm Novartis says it has completed a first batch of vaccine for pre-clinical trials and aims to make a version available in about four months.
"Novartis has successfully completed the production of the first batch of influenza A H1N1 [swine flu] vaccine, weeks ahead of expectations," the company said in a statement.
The batch "will be used for pre-clinical evaluation and testing and is also being considered for use in clinical trials," it said.
Novartis hopes to start the trials in July and to gain a licence soon after. It said more than 30 governments had already asked for swine flu "vaccine ingredients".
The UN health agency raised its global alert to a maximum six on Thursday after experts agreed that swine flu has reached pandemic status because of its geographical spread.
WHO director-general Margaret Chan said the declaration of a "moderate" pandemic should not spark panic and did not mean the swine flu death toll would rise sharply.
She said raising the alert "means that the world is moving into the early days of its first influenza pandemic in the 21st century."
The WHO said it would ask drug-makers to quickly prepare to produce swine flu vaccines once the production of seasonal flu vaccine ends.
The Southern Hemisphere is currently heading toward winter and the height of its flu season. Northern Hemisphere countries expect to see a swine flu surge when its winter starts later.
(This article is copy from www.abc.net.au)
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