The best of Flu Patrol 2006

January 18, 2006. That’s when Flu Patrol came live last year, wow. Between the previous writers (Adelle Tilton and Carl Vancil) and yours truly, we’ve covered almost a whole year of posts. It’s truly been a full year for Flu Patrol, and here are some of the best things that happened this year, flu- and blog-wise.

1. Rapid advance of bird flu vaccine research

In the bird flu front, the first human trial of a DNA-based bird flu vaccine is now underway. The same group also developed the first vaccine against the H1N1 Spanish flu virus , which caused the worst flu epidemic ever to hit man.

US researchers revealed that vaccine priming improves the immune response to H5N1, and a vaccine that uses an adenovirus to carry bird flu DNA was also awarded NIH grants to continue research. British researchers developed a novel “protecting” virus that can offer instant and long-lasting protection. There are now rapid diagnostic kits for detecting the bird flu – the FluChip and ID-Tag™ RVP.

2. Huge payoffs for US research grants

This year, the US granted $1 billion funds to five companies for vaccine research . GSK has produced a prototype bird flu vaccine that uses a very low dose of antigen to provoke an immune response. edImmune’s live, attenuated H5N1 vaccine was successful in animal cross-protection studies. Novartis will begin making the first cell-based flu vaccine this year. Iomai Corp got approved to start trial on the first patch-based vaccine.

3. Expanded vaccination programs for the seasonal flu – for children, elderly, and pregnant women.

This year, the CDC recommended that children 6 months to 5 years need to have routine vaccinations, and children up to 9 have them twice the first year. The UK even adviced flu shots for later stages of pregnancies. A new vaccine is also being developed that promises better protection for the elderly.

The FDA recently approved a new FluMist that doesn’t need to be frozen, making it accessible in grocery stores, schools and pharmacies.

4. The common cold that’s here to stay. :-)

Incurable, maybe (not) but absolutely treatable with anything from Airborne, Zicam, BTA798, natural remedies, uncommon cures, country living, pepper sprays, comfort foods and the mighty chicken soup.

5. Lower human bird flu fatality in second half of ’06

Human cases of bird flu infections have declined in the second half of 2006. There were only 26 cases reported compared with 88 prior to July. Unfortunately, countless chickens and other birds have been slaughtered this year, but in the name of protecting humans their sacrifice has not been in vain.

6. Countries declared “bird-flu free”

India and Myanmar retrieved H5N1-free status from the OIE after having no outbreaks for six months or more.

Unfortunately, the previously bird-flu free countries of Vietnam and Egypt encountered outbreaks in poultry in the fourth quarter of 2006. Good news is that with a vigilant quarantine and culling, no human infections have been reported.

7. Controlling H5N1 through international/global efforts

Global organizations of WHO and UN to pressure affected countries to get their acts together have brought tremendous success in controlling H5N1 to some degree.

Even the nomenclatures of H5N1 have been resolved via global agencies.

8. Human transmissions of bird flu = zero.

The much-feared spread of bird flu from human to human, a clear signal that the H5N1 has mutated, hasn’t happened this year, much to the relief of everyone.

9. The flu pandemic?

The flu pandemic has once again been prevented… at least for now.

10. Healthy blog, happy blogger

Happy (almost) one year anniversary to Flu Patrol! Here’s to a healthier andflu/pandemic-free 2007. Cakes are on me!

(This post was written as part of b5media’s Science and Health Channel’s Theme Day where we looked back to the best of 2006. Visit breastfeeding123 for the rest of our team’s posts.)

[image: dmhweb.com]

Tags: bird flu, common colds, seasonal flu, best of 2006, Flu Patrol, vaccine research, vaccinations, immunizations, breakthrough