Chinese avian influenza

BMJ 1998;316:325 (31 January)

Editorials

Chinese avian influenza

The H5N1 virus will probably not result in a pandemic

Influenza viruses are unique among respiratory viruses in exhibiting"drift," which is change in surface antigens as a result ofhost immunological pressure. In addition, influenza A virusesexhibit "shift"—which is the genetic intermingling ofhuman strains with animal or bird strains, resulting in completelynew viruses of pandemic potential. This makes the productionof long lasting comprehensive vaccines impossible and continualmonitoring for the appearance of new strains essential. Moreover,unlike infections transmitted through blood, food, or water,those transmitted through the respiratory tract are difficultto control through public health measures apart from vaccinationand in controlled situations such as laboratories or under barrierprotection conditions. Hence the current interest in so calledChinese or Hong Kong flu.¹ International travel adds an extraurgency to this problem because of the speed with which a newvirulent strain could potentially spread worldwide.

The most dramatic example in the past . . . [Full text of this article]

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Relevant Article

Plans for future influenza pandemics must raise awareness of Reye's syndrome: Susan Hall and Richard Lynn
BMJ 1998 317: 284. [Extract] [Full Text]

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Hall, S., Lynn, R. (1998). Plans for future influenza pandemics must raise awareness of Reye's syndrome. BMJ 317: 284-284 [Full text]