Currently, there is no bird flu vaccine available to protect humans against the H5N1 virus (bird flu virus) that is being seen in Asia. However, bird flu vaccine development efforts are under way. Research studies to test a vaccine to protect humans against the H5N1 virus began in April 2005. The current influenza vaccine (flu shot) does not provide protection against bird flu.
With No Bird Flu Vaccine, How Would Bird Flu Be Treated?
Most H5N1 viruses that have caused human illness and death appear to be resistant to amantadine and rimantadine, two antiviral medications commonly used for the treatment of patients with influenza. Two other antiviral drugs, oseltamivir and zanamavir, would probably work to treat influenza caused by H5N1 virus, but additional studies are needed to demonstrate their current and ongoing effectiveness.
(Click Bird Flu for more information about this condition.)
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