University of Helsinki - Research news
SARS provided useful exercise
The avian influenza that erupted in Southeast Asia at the end of 2003, and which continues to spread in the birds of the area, has increased the threat of a pandemic.
Week 43/ 2006
So far it has been mainly an animal disease that is not very infectious to people. However, a genetic change in the virus could create a subtype that would spread like a periodic influenza and, as a new virus, be fatal to humans.
"We are currently in a phase where transmissions from birds to humans are reported. The next phase will see minor transmissions from human to human. A new pandemic is considered inevitable, but we are still unable to predict the time or its nature," says Professor Petri Ruutu from the University of Helsinki, who spoke about SARS at the Finnish Epidemiological Society autumn seminar.
In the 20th century, there were three influenza pandemics of which the 1918 Spanish influenza was unusually severe. Preparing for the new pandemic depends largely on whether the developing virus resembles the 1968 - 1969 Hong Kong influenza pandemic, which would not require vast operations, whereas a pandemic such as Spanish influenza would necessitate extensive disease control.
The virus would cause a global threat very much like SARS but even on a more serious level, and it would require similar disease control. The anthrax threat that the US experienced before SARS, and all the related events, forced governments to prepare for a sudden epidemic. Because of SARS, Finland too had to review its pandemic preparedness, which was a useful exercise for the future.
Ruutu emphasises the importance of cooperation between various experts and authorities as well as appropriate information dissemination during all phases of a pandemic.
"Unlike for SARS, we have vaccine and medication for the influenza virus. But no one can predict the effect of antiviral medication."
Text: Arja-Leena Paavola
Picture: Digital Photo Series
Translation: Valtasana Oy
