Scientists find bird flu antibody

Tue, 29 May 2007 19:25:28 GMT

clipped by: invictus
clipper's remarks:

Using this technique, we can isolate the cells that make these antibodies so that this antibody can now be reproduced in vitro and eventually massively produced to treat other individuals."

Clip Source: news.bbc.co.uk

It's hoped human trials of the bird flu antibody could begin soon

Antibodies that could protect against bird flu in humans have been isolated by an international team of scientists.

The discovery could lead to treatments that complement flu vaccines in the event of a human epidemic of the virus.

The H5N1 bird flu virus is estimated to have killed more than 180 people around the world since 2003.

Some countries are already stockpiling vaccines for a possible bird flu outbreak in humans, but no one knows how effective they might be.

Tags: avian flu, vaccines, science

WHO: Deadly Bird Flu Virus Mutating

Sat, 30 Sep 2006 21:40:02 GMT

clipped by: invictus
clipper's remarks: Some thrilling news here...

Clip Source: dsc.discovery.com

WHO: Deadly Bird Flu Virus Mutating

Sept. 28, 2006 — The deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu which has killed at least 148 people is showing signs of being able to mutate and develop resistance to the most effective anti-viral drugs and any possible vaccines yet to be produced, a WHO scientist said Thursday.

The H5N1 virus is splitting into genetically different groups, said Mike Perdue, a team leader with WHO's influenza program who took part in a two-day bird flu conference earlier this week sponsored by the U.N. health body.

No vaccine for the H5N1 virus has been produced yet, but scientists are confident they will develop one in future.

Tags: avian flu, bird flu, h5n1, mutation

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Scientists find bird flu antibody

WHO: Deadly Bird Flu Virus Mutating