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"No Human-to-human transmission is confirmed to have occured, but the continuing presence of infection in poultry may create opportunities for the emergence of a new influenza virus strain with the capacity to spread easily among humans. This could mark the start of an influenza pandemic. Should this rare event occur (three pandemics occurred during the 20th century), it would have serious consequences for human health throughout the world."

From Mouse Studies of Oseltamivir [Tamiflu] Show Promise Against H5N1 Influenza Virus:

"Of 80 mice infected with H5N1 virus, 20 received a placebo, 30 were given oseltamivir at one of three dosage levels for five days, and 30 received the drug at one of three dosage levels for eight days. None of the mice receiving a placebo survived. Only five of 10 mice given the highest daily dose of oseltamivir for five days survived. Although oseltamivir suppressed the virus in the mice, the virus continued to grow if the drug was stopped after five days.

Mice given the drug for eight days fared better. Survivors included one of 10 mice given the lowest daily dose, six of 10 given the middle-range daily dose, and eight of 10 given the highest daily dose. The eight-day dose of oseltamivir allowed more time for virus levels to fall and less chance for avian flu to rebound after the drug was stopped."

posted by ...  # 5:20 PM