WHO working on new flu vaccine

Around the world, many countries have begun implementing measures to screen new arrivals.

Many countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa are running checks on passengers arriving on flights from Mexico and reviewing their stocks of Tamiflu. The World Health Organisation says it is evident that the world is now better prepared to deal with a potential pandemic after five years of gearing up for bird flu. Keiji Fukuda, acting WHO director-general for health security, said: “We know that if this situation evolves, one of the questions that will come up very soon is, ‘what is the availability of a vaccine?’ We’re already working with our collaborating centres, we have begun the preliminary work to prepare influenza viruses for a potential swine vaccine, if we need it.” Recommended drugs for seasonal flu have been shown to work against viral samples of the new disease. However, the longer-term battle against any pandemic depends on a successful vaccine.More about: Health

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