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Bird flu vaccine found, Lanka ready for contingency
A vaccine has been found for the avian flu, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh in America have announced, adding that the genetically engineered vaccine from the critical components of the deadly H5N1 virus, completely protects mice and chickens from infection.

“Vaccine provides 100 percent protection against avian flu virus in animal study,” assures reports from the University of Pittsburgh in America stressing that this “vaccine can be made in a short time and induces robust immune response in mice and chicken against the deadly H5N1 virus”.

The study on the animal trials has been published in the latest (February) issue of the Journal of Virology of the American Society for Microbiology.
The report states: “Dr. Andrea Gambotto, M.D. assistant professor in the departments of surgery and molecular genetics and biochemistry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and lead author of the study and his colleagues constructed the vaccine by genetically engineering a common cold virus, called adenovirus, to express either all or parts of an avian influenza protein called hemagglutinin (HA) on its surface. Found on the surface of all influenza viruses, HA allows the virus to attach to the cell that is being infected and is, therefore, critical to the influenza virus’ ability to cause illness and death.

Meanwhile all hospital directors and Deputy Provincial Directors of Health were brought to Colombo on Thursday, for a thorough briefing on the avian flu and urged to prepare contingency plans in case the human form of the H5N1 virus invades Sri Lanka.

“We have provided all hospitals with a dummy plan. Now the hospitals have only to fill in their own details, in accordance with their individual institutions, on how to act if the crisis hits our country,” said Epidemiologist Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe who is handling the human virus angle. The animal virus issue is being dealt with by Dr. S.K.R. Amerasekera, Director-General of the Department of Animal Production and Health. The meeting in Colombo was chaired by Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.

The government’s continuing steps to protect the people from the avian flu came as the World Health Organization (WHO) last week expressed “great concern” and emphasized the need for immediate action, after the confirmation of H5N1 avian influenza in poultry in Africa, and amidst reports of a vaccine for the avian flu by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh in America.

Dr. Abeysinghe, stressing that there is no cause for panic, as human-to-human transmission of this virus is still rare, however, urged the health authorities not to be complacent. “We need to be ready. We are hoping to come up with a sound 10-year plan not only for the eventuality of the human form of the bird flu but also for any other infectious disease. Under this plan we would have a bigger isolation area and more advanced health facilities,” he said.

Dr. Abeysinghe explained that the contingency plan of each hospital would deal with such vital aspects as accepting at OPD level, patients suspected to have contracted the H5N1 virus, detecting whether they are having the disease, isolation and management. It would also include restriction of a hospital to others after such an emergency and the transfer of critically-ill patients. The IDH will have a separate emergency plan. “We have equipped them and trained the staff. The World Bank has agreed to support this plan,” he says.

The WHO has warned that continuous transmission of avian influenza in poultry and human exposure in many countries increase the possibility of a pandemic virus emerging in the near future. Pigs infected with the avian, human or swine viruses could serve as the mixing vessels for the genetic material, it is feared.

Regarding the steps being taken in Sri Lanka to meet this threat, Dr. Abeysinghe said two consignments of protective gear, 100,000 kits, have also been brought down for hospitals around the country. Each kit comprises a pair of goggles, a mask, an apron and a pair of gloves. “The protective has already been sent to the IDH. The balance stocks will be distributed among 20 ‘sentinel sites’ across Sri Lanka,” he said. These sites – including all the Colombo group of state hospitals and one each from different geographical regions – will act as surveillance units.

According Dr. Abeysinghe anti-viral drugs have also been ordered initially for 1,000 patients. Stocks are being awaited as only one company in the world is producing them.

Referring to the recent death of a Russian sailor who arrived on a ship from Malaysia, he said that there were some concerns that it was due to bird flu. “It was not so. The person died of methyl alcohol poisoning,” he said adding that when the ship came to Colombo two people had already died on board.
The third, who was also critically ill, was taken to the National Hospital and later transferred to the IDH, where he died. “It was not from bird flu, but from methyl alcohol poisoning,” Dr. Abeysinghe stated categorically.

Millions of birds have either died or been culled as avian flu has swept across Southeast Asia and Europe. It has also infected 170 people worldwide leaving around half -- 80 men, women and children – dead. Many outbreaks of the H5N1 virus have devastated poultry since the late 1990s in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam, with more recent outbreaks being reported from Turkey and Romania. Although the avian flu does not usually infect people, 1997 recorded the first time the H5N1 virus jumped from birds to a human, in Hong Kong.

“If the H5N1 virus changes to allow it to pass easily from person to person, and it goes unchecked, this could trigger an influenza pandemic. H5N1 is spreading rapidly across the world. All countries must take measures to protect human health against avian flu, and prepare for a pandemic. There is no time to waste,” warns the WHO.

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