INFLUENZA FAQs

Will avian flu become a pandemic flu?

Scientists are concerned that an avian (bird) flu virus causing serious disease could one day be able to infect humans, spread easily from one person to another and result in a pandemic (worldwide) flu. However, to date, none of the avian viruses that have spread from birds to people, have, in turn, spread easily from person to person. Scientists’ concerns come from the fact that all influenza viruses have the ability to change.[12]

H5N1 and high rates of mortality

Scientists are especially concerned about avian influenza A (H5N1) because of its high mortality rate—more than half of the people reported to be infected with the virus have died. Even though these bird viruses do not commonly infect humans, there is little or no immune protection against them in the human population. If H5N1 virus were to change and gain the capacity to spread easily from person to person, an influenza pandemic (worldwide outbreak of disease) could begin.[12]

Current vaccine might provide limited protection

If the current H5N1 avian virus develops the capability to easily spread from human to human, a vaccine is available that might provide early limited protection. This vaccine could be used until a vaccine that is tailored to the specific pandemic strain of the virus is developed and produced. The vaccine is to be stockpiled by the US federal government for distribution by public health officials if needed.[19]

H5N1 resistance to antivirals

Some of the currently circulating H5N1 strains in southeastern Asia have already acquired resistance to the earlier class of antivirals, the adamantanes. Learn more about RELENZA’s resistance profile.

next: Pandemic Flu FAQs

 
Important Safety Information About RELENZA

• Serious cases of bronchospasm, including fatalities, have been reported during treatment with RELENZA in patients with and without underlying airway disease. Many of these cases were reported during postmarketing, and causality was difficult to assess
  
• RELENZA SHOULD BE DISCONTINUED IN ANY PATIENT WHO DEVELOPS BRONCHOSPASM OR DECLINE IN RESPIRATORY FUNCTION; immediate treatment and hospitalization may be required
  
• Safety and efficacy have not been demonstrated in patients with high-risk underlying medical conditions
  
• Patients should be instructed in the use of the delivery system. Instructions should include a demonstration whenever possible
  
• If treatment with RELENZA is considered for a patient with underlying airway disease, the potential risks and benefits should be carefully weighed. If a decision is made to prescribe RELENZA for such a patient, this should be done only under conditions of careful monitoring of respiratory function, close observation, and appropriate supportive care including availability of fast-acting bronchodilators
  
• Common adverse events in treatment and prophylaxis studies with RELENZA were nausea, diarrhea, sinusitis, viral respiratory infections, headaches, nasal signs and symptoms. The incidence of these adverse events was similar in both groups for RELENZA and placebo-treated groups
  
• Please see complete Prescribing Information for RELENZA