New H1N1 vaccine will be produced next year

Surabaya, KOMPAS.com

Avian Influenza Research Centre Bio Safety Level-3 the Airlangga University, Surabaya, East Java, launched the future vaccine H1N1 and H5N1, on Monday (16/11) in Surabaya. The vaccine H1N1 will begin to be produced in November 2010 by PT Bio Farma. In the launching agenda, the Rector Unair Prof Fasich handed over the future vaccine (seed vaccine) H1N1 and H5N1 to Vice President Boediono, that handed over him to Health Minister Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih and continued to the Managing Director PT Bio Farma, Iskandar. According to Iskandar, the future vaccine H1N1 will be tested clinical (clinical trial) to humankind in March 2010. The production and the distribution of the vaccine H1N1 was carried out in November 2010 for 20 million doses of the vaccine or a tenth of the inhabitants’s Indonesian number. Because of the number of limited productions, said Endang, the vaccine was given priority to the community’s group that was susceptible to avian influenza (AI), like the nurse and the official of the laboratory.

The vaccine H5N1 will be produced in accordance with the policy of the government. If the pandemic happening and the government asked for the production of the vaccine H5N1, PT Bio Farma will produce because of technology for the production of the two vaccines are same.

The head of the Avian Influenza Tropical Disease Center Laboratory (TDC) Unair Chairul Anwar Nidom explained, if the mutation of the virus happening in H1N1 or H5N1, strain the virus that was used as the future vaccine will be replaced. ”Information on the infection incident avian influenza are really needed,” Nidom words.

Iskandar said, thought the development project of the laboratory and production facilities of the vaccine H1N1 and H5N1 in the C Unair Campus, Mulyorejo, Surabaya, around Rp 1.3 trillion. Production facilities had a capacity of 20 million vaccines per year. The project was carried out four years, 2008-2011. Nidom added, the virus research of H5N1 to be made vaccine has been carried out since 2006. For the test about (the testing of the prospective vaccine to the animal) H5N1 was waiting for the sample of the virus from the Department of the Health to August 13 2009. At that time TDC Unair received six types of the virus H5N1. The research H1N1 was easier because of TDC Unair to be able to get many samples of the virus from the clinic. After being tested, the future vaccine was ready to be tested clinical and began to be produced mass.

The AI virus research and it future vaccine were carried out in the laboratory measuring 224 square metres had a name Avian Influenza Research Centre Bio Safety Level-3 (BSL-3). It was the biggest in Asia, said Nidom, this laboratory was unique because of having test space to 30 monkeys (Maccaca fascicularis). The research in the laboratory was very comprehensive. The launching of this future vaccine, according to Boediono, was the shape of Indonesian autonomy. As citizens of the world, Indonesia must active handled the very fast infectious diseases attack spread. Moreover, as the tropical country, Indonesia was very susceptible as the multiplying place strain and the mutation of the new virus. Because in the warfare front line opposed infectious diseases, he continued, Indonesia had the opportunity to control its technology. Therefore, Indonesia better not make themselves dependent to the laboratory overseas. ”Indonesia also had an obligation to divide knowledge to the world because the plague of infectious diseases was the problem of the world, but in the framework mutually benefitable” he said.

 

Researcher activities in Avian Influenza Research Centre BSL-3 of Airlangga University, Surabaya, East Java, which was launched by Vice President of Indonesia Boediono, Monday (16/11). In this event was also launched the vaccine candidate (seed vaccine) H1N1 and H5N1. For the beginning stage of the vaccine H1N1 will be produced by Bio Farma.

More info :

http://kesehatan.kompas.com/read/xml/2009/11/17/0733293/vaksin.h1n1.diproduksi.tahun.depan

Foods for increasing immunity against influenza

Foods to Boost Immunity

Written by Gloria Tsang, RD
Published in October 2009

Immunity-Boosting Foods to Add to Your Diet

• Yogurt for Probiotics


There’s a promising perk for yogurt lovers! A German study found that probiotics (as found in yogurt with active culture) may shorten your cold episode by almost two days. Most yogurt products have a label claiming they are good for your digestive health and may boost immunity. But not all bacterial strains have the immune-boosting quality. So far, only some strains, like Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus reuteri have been scientifically shown to prevent colds, improve immune response, or shorten sick leaves from work. So keep on eating those “friendly” bugs but look for yogurt products that contain these strains!

• Citrus for Vitamin C


Previous studies have shown that 1,000 mg of Vitamin C supplements may make your cold milder and shorten it by half a day. Another systematic review has found evidence that high-dose Vitamin C reduces the duration of symptoms in people with upper respiratory tract infections. However, not all studies generated a similar result. Hence, it is not generally recommended to take Vitamin C supplements routinely, but you may try them with the onset of a flu. Instead of supplementing on a day-to-day basis, include lots of Vitamin C–rich foods such as orange, kiwi, cantaloupe, strawberries, and watermelon in your diet.

• Mushrooms for Beta-Glucan


Beta-glucans, a type of soluble polysaccharides found in foods, have been identified as having the ability to boost immunity, lower bad LDL cholesterol, and regulate blood sugar. However, not all beta-glucans are effective at improving immune response, according to Dr. Roger Clemens, Professor at the University of Southern California’s School of Pharmacy. Beta 1,3/1,6 glucans from mushrooms have been shown to enhance macrophage activity, which is critical in warding off infection. Beta 1,3/1,4 glucans found in oats and barley, however, do not appear to be effective. So toss extra mushrooms in your pasta sauce, soups, stir-fries, casseroles, or pizza. Don’t forget, not just exotic mushrooms like shiitake or reishi contain beta-glucans. Local favorites like crimini and white button mushrooms are also healthy options.

• Seafood for Selenium


Most of us think of the good omega 3 fatty acids when we think of seafood. But did you know that seafood is also a rich source of selenium, a potent antioxidant? A small study conducted by researchers from the University of California found that healthy men given a high-selenium diet had a better immune response in improving white blood cells (B-lymphocytes and perhaps T-cell function). So include a variety of sustainable seafood choices in your diet.

• Green Tea for Catechins


A 2007 study showed that participants taking green tea extracts have improved immune response by secreting more virus-fighting interferon. Dr. Susan Percival, one of the researchers in this study, agreed that drinking at least 6 cups of tea will achieve the same health benefits. “Green tea is a better immune modulator as it contains higher levels of catechins, but black tea still has benefits,” added Dr. Percival, Professor of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Florida. Drinking 6 cups of tea may seem like a lot, but adding 2 to 3 cups of this calorie-free beverage to your day is not that hard to achieve.

• Nuts for Vitamin E


Similar to seafood, most people think of omega 3 fatty acids as nuts’ major beneficial nutrients. But nuts are also known for their rich levels of Vitamin E, a fat-soluble vitamin. Researchers from Tufts University found that a daily Vitamin E supplement of 200 IU may help prevent colds among the elderly living in nursing homes. So enjoy some unsalted crunchy nuts and other Vitamin E–rich foods such as whole grain cereals.

We got this information from health castle.com.

For more information, please go to : http://www.healthcastle.com/immune_boosting_foods.shtml

Since The Last Four Years the scientist Airlangga Univ. found the bird Flu Virus to the Pig in Tangerang

The attack of pig flu that killed dozens of Mexican residents apparently was alarmed by Dr. C.A. Nidom DVM, the expert in bird flu at Veterinary Medicine Faculty Airlangga University. In the last four years, when researching bird flu in Tangerang, he found this virus to the pig body. “At that time many persons that protested that was carried out by me.” Because, for most communities in this Indonesia, this animal will be prohibited, said Nidom yesterday (27/4). According to him, his problem not forbidden not him, but the animal capacity in mixing various illness agencies that could endanger humankind. The virus one of them. The researcher in Avian Influenza Laboratory AU explained, the illness actually came from the common flu virus attacked the pig. The structure of his exterior chemistry take the form of H1N1, that also was in human flu. “Because of the same structure”, spreading from humankind to the pig or the pig to humankind possibly happened.” The virus that attacked this humankind was indeed true from the pig (swine influenza, Red).

However, continued Nidom, the structure of chemistry of the depth part including the group of the bird flu virus to humankind and the virus from the poultry. “But, not H5N1. Because, as long as I know, Mexico was not infected by this type virus”. Said him. If the virus of pig flu really entered Indonesia, said Nidom, recuperation was difficult to be carried out. Indeed, there were the vaccine and virus medicine for humankind. Amantadin for example. “But, the vaccine and the medicine did not too much help.” Because, both of them tended to work to the virus capsule. The virus interior continued to be able to not be opposed, explained him. Therefore, continued Nidom, the government ought to tighten quarantine, both the animal and humankind. The government should also stopped now the biological material traffic from Mexico, including the vaccine. It was more dangerous, there was the illness bearer (carrier) this that did not show the sign was sick. “That could happen if endurance of the sufferer’s body was stronger,” he explained. As the step in the prevention, obviously he, each resident who came from Europe and America must be checked first, both in the airport and the port. Nidom also focus on surveillance the illness in humankind and the animal, that were not yet done by the government. “In fact, with surveillance, area or anyone who was risky was affected by the illness will be easy to be known.” Therefore, the control of the illness was more easy, he said. That did not lose important, said he, was the restructuring of livestock breeding. The government, explained he, must stress maintained any area that became the location of pig livestock breeding, the chicken, cattle, and the other animal. “Now would still like the zoo,” said him

With the restructuring, mixing of pig livestock breeding and the other animal will not happen. The spread of the illness from one animal kind to other also will not happen. Generally, the sign of pig flu resembled the common flu illness. For example, went out nasal mucus was accompanied breathless. “Therefore, possibly immediately checked to the doctor if feeling flu. don’t underestimate the flu” , suggested Nidom (yaf/soe)

Metropolis, Tuesday April 28, 2009

http://www.jawapos.co.id/

CDC: Swine Flu Outbreak “Serious” 8 Cases Confirmed in the U.S.; Global Health Experts on Alert

April 25, 2009 — Swine flu has killed at least 20 people in Mexico and sickened at least eight people in the U.S., and the CDC expects more U.S. cases as the hunt for swine flu intensifies.

The eight confirmed U.S. cases are located in San Antonio, Texas, and California’s San Diego County and Imperial County. Others will probably be found elsewhere, notes Anne Schuchat, MD, the CDC’s interim deputy director for science and public health program.

“We are likely to find it in many other places,” Schuchat said at a press conference today.  ”We don’t think containment [of the virus] is feasible.”

CNN is reporting that two cases of swine flu in Kansas are expected to be announced by the Kansas Department of Health. And New York City officials are reporting eight “probable” cases of swine flu in students at a private school in New York City. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will send samples taken from the students to the CDC for confirmation.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has asked health departments worldwide to watch out for the virus, which is a mix of swine, human, and bird influenza viruses.

In a news conference today, WHO officials called the flu outbreak “serious,” but the WHO has not yet declared swine flu to be a pandemic.

Schuchat says that so far, the U.S. cases have been milder than those seen in Mexico, where at least 59 people have died of pneumonia, according to the CDC. The WHO notes that 20 of those deaths are confirmed to be from swine flu; health officials are investigating the other Mexican deaths.

The CDC is already taking the first steps toward making a vaccine against the virus; that process takes months, Schuchat says. The CDC has also sent staff to Mexico as part of a global team responding to the outbreak.

Here are the CDC’s tips for limiting your risk of catching the swine flu virus:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread that way.

By Miranda Hitti
WebMD Health News

http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20090425/cdc-swine-flu-outbreak-serious?ecd=wnl_nal_042609

Surabaya Avian Influenza Human Case

On January 24, 2009 there was a new human case of Avian Influenza infection. The victim, S, 21 years, was a housemaid. She was living in Darmo Permai.

On January 31,2009 we went to the house of S and investigated the factor of infection. After we arrived there, many questions occured in our mind. How can she get infected? in what way? why there were many questions in our mind because we saw that the living are were clean and hygiene. No pets, no bird and no chicken in her house. According to her friend who lived there too, she had not contact with chicken before she got sick and she have had fever 3 days before finally the family took her to Soetomo Hospital. After we investigated deeply, we found the fact that everyday she went to wet market, which was about 1 km from her house. And in the wet market, we found 2 chicken seller who pooled chicken from many area in East Java. Until now we are still tracking the origin of the chicken and do the surveillance in that wet market.

And on February 2, 2009 we went to Muji Rahayu hospital. It was the first hospital which S came to the medical doctor and hospitalized before she finally was brought to Soetomo Hospital. In this hospital there were 32 health worker who involved directly to treat the victim.

Until now, the investigation is still going on.

FLASH NEWS : we got information that 5 staff of Soetomo Hospital are quarantine because suspected bird flu. One of the suspect is medical doctor

BSL3 guidance training

This is the first note of Airlangga University Avian Influenza Lab activity. In this first note we want to talk about our first activity in the new year. on January, 8 2009, Avian Influenza lab held the BSL3 Guidance training for East Java Quarantine officer. The training were included the explaination of B3, PPE, Biosafety cabinet, waste management equipment safety etc. The participants on this training were 12 persons and the the trainer were 6 persons including Dr. Nidom.