SEARCH FOR THE CURE
Today, there are two effective antiviral drugs that can treat people infected with H5N1: Relenza and Tamiflu. Recent studies have scientists worried that the virus will eventually become fully resistant to both drugs, leaving the world population open to infection. Now, researchers are developing new vaccines and studying alternative cures that could halt the spread of an emerging pandemic.
"Well, the first thing is everybody in America is going to say, where's a vaccine? And they're going to find out that it's really darn hard to make a vaccine. It takes a really long time, and they may queue up in demand, but it's not there for them," says Laurie Garrett, a senior fellow for global health at the Council of Foreign Relations. A vaccine for H5N1 was once nearly impossible to make, but genetic engineering has allowed scientists to 'tame' the virus and make an experimental vaccine. Results from tests done in August 2005 indicate that the virus on its own does not encourage much immunity in people. The vaccine required 90 micrograms of the virus's exterior proteins, six times more than what is used in a regular flu vaccine. The greater the amount of virus used in the vaccine, the longer it takes to manufacture.
Recently, scientists decided to try something new in an attempt to speed up production. They would combine a lower dose of virus with alum, a chemical that stimulates the immune system. Drug manufacturer Sanofi tested the vaccine, but no dose less than 30 micrograms encouraged enough antibodies to meet flu vaccine standards. "If all the world's influenza companies were to produce this vaccine for six months, there would be enough to vaccinate only 225 million people," says David Fedson. One problem may be that Sanofi's vaccine contained a split virus. Split viruses are used in regular flu vaccines instead of whole viruses, because they have fewer side effects. However, it is believed that whole viruses are more immunogenic. In China, vaccine manufacturer Sinovac is testing an H5N1 'whole-virus' vaccine with alum. Sanofi does not plan to use whole viruses in the vaccine, but they do plan to continue experimenting with lower doses.
There have been reports that sauerkraut and its spicier Korean cousin kimchi are effective in treating avian flu. Scientists at Seoul National University fed kimchi juice to 13 chickens infected with the bird flu. Within a week, 11 of the birds began to recover. It is not known why kimchi was so effective against the bird flu or even if kimchi was responsible for the bird's recovery, but news of the findings spread quickly. As a result, sauerkraut and kimchi sales rose at many stores around the country. While experts have not confirmed this report, they do say that sauerkraut is definitely good for you.