Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Swine flu: so far, so good

By David Dickson - posted Tuesday, 26 May 2009


When the first reports of swine flu - so described because of its apparent origins in pigs, but since renamed less provocatively as A(H1N1) - appeared in Mexico last month, the prospect of a global pandemic set alarm bells ringing in medical and political circles around the world.

So far our worst fears have failed to materialise. As of May 14, although 61 people have died - out of more than 6,000 infected - 56 of these have been in Mexico where the outbreak originated. And many parts of the world, including Africa and South Asia, have yet to confirm any cases at all (see "Severe swine flu projections divide scientists").

But this doesn't mean we can be complacent. Initial outbreaks of a relatively benign form of flu have often been followed several months later by a much more virulent strain as the virus mutates. This was the case in 1918 when “Spanish flu” killed perhaps as many as 100 million people worldwide.

Advertisement

And it is widely acknowledged that, if this happened again, people in developing countries could be most at risk. This is partly because closer living conditions help a contagious virus spread rapidly, but also because many countries lack diagnostic facilities, anti-flu treatments and vaccinations.

Bridging the gap

To its credit the WHO, which is leading the global responses to the pandemic, has prioritised equitable treatment for developing countries.

Led by Margaret Chan - who came to international prominence in 2003 as Hong Kong's chief medical officer in charge of a campaign against the SARS virus - the WHO has been twisting the arms of vaccine producers to ensure enough vaccine will be available, at affordable cost, for rich and poor alike.

Recently the WHO's director for vaccine research, Marie-Paule Kieny, said the agency was already taking steps behind the scenes to ensure that, if a major vaccine programme is launched, manufacturers will take developing countries' needs fully into account (see WHO “will ensure poor receive swine flu vaccine”).

Home investment

And some developing countries are already planning their own vaccine production programs. Indonesia, for example, is building research facilities to produce a single vaccine for both the swine and bird flu viruses. Health authorities cannot confirm when they will be able to start making a vaccine, but construction of at least one facility is almost finished.

Pharmaceutical companies and government research institutions in India have similarly agreed this week to explore whether they have the capability and technology to produce a domestic vaccine in case a second wave of A(H1N1) hits later this year.

Advertisement

There is a long way to go, of course, before these countries can equal the production capacity of the developed world. But their willingness to invest in key technologies - spurred, no doubt, by the prospect of growing markets in other developing countries - is welcome.

Their efforts are made easier by the US Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia, which is releasing free samples of the A(H1N1) virus essential for vaccine production. This welcome openness of the US authorities stands in contrast to the tight control of intellectual property usually encountered in the global pharmaceutical industry.

Informed reporting

It is not too fanciful to suggest that informed media coverage - helped by instant and comprehensive online reporting - has contributed to the current state of affairs.

  1. Pages:
  2. Page 1
  3. 2
  4. All

First published in SciDev.net on May 14, 2009.



Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

4 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

David Dickson is director and editor of the website SciDev.org
He was news editor of Nature from 1993 to August 2001, and was the journal’s Washington correspondent from 1977 to 1982. Originally a graduate in mathematics, he has also worked for The Times Higher Education Supplement (1973-1977), Science (1982-1989) and New Scientist (1989-1992).

Other articles by this Author

All articles by David Dickson

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Article Tools
Comment 4 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy