Warning: Bird Flu Spreads

by Bogdan Epureanu

The Avian Flu virus, also known as the Bird Flu virus or as H5N1, is a sub-species of the Influenza A virus which causes severe illness and death in humans and animals. Since 2003 this deadly virus has been spreading globally causing fear and panic in countries all around the world. First recognized in Vietnam, to date the virus has 291 known cases and has claimed 172 lives as well as permanently changed thousands more in 11 countries globally including China, Egypt, Indonesia, and Turkey. Most recently the British government has pledged to spend £200 ($400) million to import enough Tamiflu and Relenza to vaccinate approximately a quarter of the population against the Bird Flu.

With a 60% death rate recorded from infected patients of the H5N1 virus, it's easy to see why being prepared for such an event is highly recommended by professionals and scientists like world-renowned virologist Robert Webster who has published an article titled "The world is teetering on the edge of a pandemic that could kill a large fraction of the human population". Webster urged for adequate resources to fight a major world threat that could kill anywhere from 5 to 150 million people and even possibly billions of lives over the course of just a few years.

The resources Webster is talking about are Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) and Relenza (Zanamivir), the only two effective antiviral drugs that are to be used in the treatment of the H5N1 Virus which causes the Bird Flu. Unfortunately for Tamiflu and Relenza patients, in order for these antivirals to be most effective they need to be administered at the early stage of infection which in turn has caused many countries to stockpile in preparation for the pandemic. This global stockpile has resulted in a major shortage for these life saving antivirals leaving many private citizens without access when these will be needed the most. Drug companies, manufacturers, and scientists are scrambling to come up with a vaccine to protect the world against the H5N1 strain of influenza, but currently Tamiflu and Relenza are the only antivirals that have shown promise in fighting the virus to date.

With the knowledge and warnings that have been provided to us it is just common sense to realize that this is a global problem and you need to be prepared. Act now to protect your family because with the current demand for these medications it may soon be too late. And we strongly believe that every family deserves equal access to Tamiflu and Relenza life saving antivirals - not just the governments who stockpile only for the health care workers and whoever they deem are suitable for treatment during a pandemic. Don't delay - protect your family today.

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If you want to find more information about the subject please visit the following pages which deals in details with bird flu, Tamiflu and Relenza.