Avian Flu Diary: Branswell On The WHO Response To trH3N2

H3N2 influenza virions responsible for casing illness in Indiana and Pennsylvania in 2011 Source – CDC Phil

# 5979

We’ve a terrific behind-the-scenes look via Helen Branswell on the World Health Organization’s thinking, and initial response to the recent trH3N2 swine-origin flu cases detected across four US states.

Helen is not only one of the best health and science writers on the planet, she also arguably has the best rolodex in the business (ok, with that archaic reference, I’m showing my age).

You’ll find quotes from a `dream team’ of flu experts including Dr. Keiji Fukuda of the WHO, Dr. Arnold Monto of the University of Michigan, Dr. Nancy Cox of the CDC, and renown virologist Dr. Malik Peiris of the University of Hong Kong.

At issue is what is the appropriate early response to the recent emergence of this new trH3N2 virus?

First, Helen’s article. By all means, follow the link and read it in its entirety. When you come back, I’ll have a little more.

WHO trying to hit the sweet spot in responding to puzzling new flu virus

By: Helen Branswell, The Canadian Press

The spread of an odd new flu virus that has been jumping from pigs to people in parts of the United States has the World Health Organization gearing up its response planning, a senior official of the agency says.

The UN health body is figuring out what needs to be done if the virus continues to spread and a global response is required, Dr. Keiji Fukuda, assistant director-general for health security and environment said in an interview from Geneva.

(Continue . . . )

As I wrote yesterday in Pseudo Pandemics And Viral Interlopers, the appearance of a new virus – even one that demonstrates the ability to transmit among humans – isn’t a guarantee of a pandemic.

It didn’t happen in 1951 with the Liverpool flu or in 1976 with the swine flu, and it very well may not happen with this new trH3N2.

But you can’t just assume this virus will go away either. It could adapt further to humans as it circulates, and in time, it could become a larger public health threat.

After the pillorying that the WHO took during the summer of 2009 over their declaration of a pandemic, they are understandably cautious today.

Call it a public relations lesson learned . . . even though the 2009 H1N1 virus was a pandemic. It just didn’t fit the public’s perception of what a pandemic should look like.

Constant readers are no doubt aware that I’ve adopted a `wait and see’ attitude on this virus. While I’ve devoted more than a dozen blogs to its recent arrival, I’m not altogether convinced that it will spark the next pandemic.

I only accept that it could.

But then, so could H5N1, H9N2, or any of a handful of other viruses circulating around the world.

Given the uncertainty over the timing of the next public health crisis, and the potential for seeing many other types of disasters and emergencies, it only makes sense to make individual, business, and community preparedness a priority.

After all, if you are well prepared for an earthquake or a hurricane, you are probably reasonably well prepared to deal with a pandemic.

To learn how to prepare as an individual, family, business owner, or community I would invite you to visit the following sites and use THIS LINK to access some of my preparedness blogs.