New subtype of influenza virus - Swine influenza

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report laboratory-confirmed human cases of swine influenza A/H1N1. Human cases of swine influenza A/H1N1 virus infection also have been identified internationally.

Based on preliminary testing, the virus is being described as a new subtype of A/H1N1 not previously detected in swine or humans.

Laboratory testing has found the swine influenza A/H1N1 virus is susceptible to the prescription antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir. According to Anne Schuchat, MD, the CDC's Interim Deputy Director for Science and Public Health Program, treatment should begin within 48 hours of onset. Vaccine development is in process, but it will take several months to prepare a vaccine.

CDC has issued interim recommendations for diagnostic testing and antiviral use, but local and state circumstances may vary and individual protocols may be put in place.

The CDC also has prepared interim guidance on how to care for people who are sick and interim guidance on the use of face masks in a community setting where spread of this swine flu virus has been detected. This is a rapidly evolving situation and CDC will provide new information as it becomes available.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the government of Mexico also has reported several laboratory-confirmed cases of swine influenza A/H1N1. In a media briefing today, the CDC confirmed several swine influenza-related deaths as well. Investigation is continuing to clarify the spread and severity of the disease in Mexico. Suspect clinical cases have been reported in 19 of the country's 32 states.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the infection and whether additional people have been infected with swine influenza viruses.

CDC is working very closely with officials in states where human cases of swine influenza A/H1N1 have been identified, as well as with health officials in Mexico, Canada, and WHO. This includes deploying staff domestically and internationally to provide guidance and technical support. CDC has activated its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate this investigation.

WHO and the Global Alert and Response Network (GOARN) are sending experts to Mexico to work with health authorities. WHO and its partners are actively investigating reports of suspect cases in other Member States as they occur and are supporting field epidemiology activities, laboratory diagnosis and clinical management.

Bivalent Polio vaccine being tested

The world's first bivalent vaccine - that will protect children against both P1 and P3 strains of polio virus - is being tested in India.

Around 900 newborn children in Indore, Chennai and Pune have already been given two doses of the oral bivalent vaccine (BOPV). Bivalent vaccine can potentially play an important role in rapidly eliminating P3 virus and sustaining high level of immunity against P1.

Scientists at the Indian Council of Medical Research(ICMR) want to see whether the bivalent vaccine, manufactured by Panacea, provides as much immunity to children as the present day vaccine of choice -- monovalent oral polio vaccine (MOPV). 

This is the vaccine's first study. In the trials, BOPV has to show atleast 90% efficacy for it to be considered. A child is being given the first dose of BOPV at birth and then again on the 30th day .
If found effective, it will  be tested  in other polio affected countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan. This is one of the studies that are being conducted to optimise the use of polio vaccines to meet the challenges of the evolving epidemiologyof P1 and P3 polio viruses.    

    P1 accounted for 95% polio cases in the country till 2006. P1 causes paralysis in one out of every 200 children compared to P3, which causes paralysis in one out of every 1,000 infections. 
In 2008, India recorded 549 polio cases of which 68 were caused by the P1 strain and 481 were P3 infections. P1 is the most dangerous form of polio virus as it can cause huge outbreaks and travel long distances.