aussies to test bird flu vaccine

**eve** · Oct 4th, 2005, 08:55 AM

Hundreds of Australian volunteers will begin testing different formulations of a bird flu vaccine this week amid growing fears of a global pandemic. The trial is aimed at obtaining a vaccine to prevent the spread of bird flu in the event of a pandemic and to determine which of four formulations produce the best immune response. About 400 healthy Australians aged 18 to 45 in Melbourne and Adelaide will receive their first vaccinations later this week.

A particularly virulent strain of avian flu, known as H5N1, already has killed more than 60 people in four Asian countries since 2003. Most of those who have died have had direct contact with infected birds. But scientists are worried if avian flu mixes with a type of human flu, it may develop into a new, highly infectious strain that's easily transmitted between people and invisible to human immune systems.

Hence the race by vaccine manufacturers, such as Australian pharmaceutical company CSL Ltd, to develop a suitable vaccine. CSL has received $4.93 million from the fed govt to fast track production of a pandemic flu vaccine. The govt grant has allowed the trial to go ahead around seven months earlier than originally planned.

A fed govt report published last year estimated a major flu pandemic could lead to 2.6 million Australians seeking medical attention, 58,000 hospitalisations and 13,000 deaths.

(above from today's 'The Age')

**adam antichrist** · Oct 5th, 2005, 02:28 AM

The thing is, this is almost certainly going to eventuate. I believe it is probable that the pathogen is already in Australia. There are bird populations in North Queensland which live between Indonesia and Australia, and others migrate from as far North as Siberia (such as mutton birds) so the virus is definately going to end up here. A mutation, which is behind the fear machine generated by the media is not unlikely, but the greater danger for vegans is many of us have contact with these animals in our daily lives. The president of ALV has over a dozen chooks and turkeys in her suburban yard right now.

Apparantly the pathogen is spread through faeces when the dried out material becomes airborne. This is a particular threat in this country since there are huge sheds full of chicken waste bulldozed every 2 months which will force the material into the air. Even if the virus never mutates there will be entire communities put at risk. This has not been a major issue overseas as the level of industrialisation of poultry hasn't reached that which it has here. Right now plans are underway in rural Victoria for 'mega-farms' which will contain up to 2.8 million animals at a time.