As H1N1 flu continues to make headlines across the world, GlaxoSmithKline is responding to the flu pandemic.

It seems like flu has hardly been out of the headlines for the last three or so years. During 2006 the world was put on alert as cases of avian (H5N1) influenza were seen in the Middle East and South East Asia causing illness and deaths in about 14 countries.

The reality is that we are used to outbreaks of flu every winter. So-called seasonal flu is a serious condition especially for those who are susceptible or weakened by other illnesses or old age.

Each year flu vaccine manufacturers create a vaccine that helps to protect against the most likely strains of seasonal flu and this is usually given to people at risk before or at the beginning of the annual flu season.

For many, a seasonal flu vaccine reduces the worry of catching flu, but what has made the headlines during 2009 is a different type of flu.

Swine flu and influenza A (H1N1)
Swine flu is a strain of flu that normally affects pigs. The strain that has been in the news during 2009 is called influenza A (H1N1) and first came to the attention of doctors when an outbreak started in Mexico during April 2009.

Scientists believe that the influenza A (H1N1) virus mutated whilst in pigs into a form that affects humans, so swine flu is not generally accepted as an appropriate name for the current outbreak of flu.

Since the outbreak of influenza A (H1N1) in Mexico, the virus has spread around the world with cases reported in humans in the European Union, North and South America, South East Asia and Australasia. By 8 July 2009, cases of influenza A (H1N1) in humans were reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 122 countries with over 94,500 cases in total.

Although the virus passed originally from pigs to humans, it’s reassuring to know that WHO says there is no evidence that influenza A (H1N1) can be caught from eating well-cooked pork.

Human to human: anatomy of an influenza A (H1N1) pandemic
The fact that influenza A (H1N1) flu has already transferred from pigs to humans was of concern to scientists but what is of greater concern is that it now can pass from human to human.

In April, when the evidence of human transmission was confirmed, WHO raised the worldwide flu alert level from four to five, one level away from full pandemic.

Level five was reached after evidence of significant human to human transfer of the virus. The increase to level six on 12 June 2009 was made because the virus had already shown efficient spread within a population for a sustained period.

Until now influenza A (H1N1) mainly causes moderate illness. WHO says that most people who catch influenza A (H1N1) will recover without needing medicines and will make a full recovery. A person should seek medical care if they experience shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or if a fever continues more than three days.

GSK is responding to the influenza A (H1N1) pandemic
Various medicines can be used to prevent and treat flu – these include vaccines and anti-virals.

GSK is responding to the influenza A (H1N1) pandemic by investing in the development of vaccines for the influenza A (H1N1) strain of flu and the increased production of the anti-viral Relenza through its own manufacturing facilities and through partnerships with other companies.

Preventative measures taken by governments may include vaccination, to prevent people from catching flu. This is why some governments have chosen to purchase the influenza A (H1N1) vaccine in development. Another preventative measure is the use of anti-viral medicines, which some governments have already been stockpiling for several years.

To meet this need, pharmaceutical companies such as GSK have quickly started development and production of the new influenza vaccine and increased the production of antiviral medicines.

GSK is investing heavily in increasing capacity to help governments and other organisations to respond to a global influenza pandemic. That includes investing to conduct research and expand production capacity for both Relenza. The company has added several manufacturing lines to meet increased demand for Relenza, and as a result, has already supplied significant quantities of Relenza to meet stockpile orders.

A vaccine to help to protect against influenza A (H1N1)
As a result of the outbreak of H5N1 flu in 2006 GSK set in place the development of a vaccine that could help to protect against global flu pandemics. In 2008, the company developed the first pre-pandemic vaccine as well as a candidate vaccine to help to protect against H5N1 flu.

During the recent influenza A (H1N1) outbreak, GSK has been in continuous discussions with WHO, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the US Department of Health and Human Services and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control to gain a better understanding of the new influenza A (H1N1) strain.

The company has working with these authorities, as requested, to help them develop estimates for manufacturing capability, timing of possible production and understand the benefit of using adjuvant technology in production of a potential pandemic vaccine.

In June 2009, GSK began the development a potential vaccine against the influenza A (H1N1) strain of the flu after WHO and other public health authorities made recommendations for composition of the vaccine. 

What you can do
There are several things that you can do to reduce the risk of catching seasonal (and other forms of) flu:

• Avoid touching your mouth and nose
• Clean hands thoroughly with soap and water, or cleanse them with an alcohol-based hand rub on a regular basis (especially if touching the mouth and nose, or surfaces that are potentially contaminated)
• Avoid close contact with people who might be ill
• Reduce the time spent in crowded settings if possible
• Improve airflow in your living space by opening windows
• Practise good health habits including adequate sleep, eating nutritious food, and keeping physically active
  

The latest information on flu can be found on the World Health Organization’s website.

** World Bank website

Important Safety Information on Relenza

Some patients have had bronchospasm (wheezing) or serious breathing problems when they used Relenza. Many but not all of these patients had previous asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Relenza has not been shown to shorten the duration of influenza in people with these diseases. Because of the risk of side effects and because it has not been shown to help them, Relenza is not recommended for people with chronic respiratory disease such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

If you develop worsening respiratory symptoms such as wheezing or shortness of breath, stop using Relenza and contact your healthcare provider right away.

If you have chronic respiratory disease such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and your healthcare provider has prescribed Relenza, you should have a fast-acting, inhaled bronchodilator available for your use. If you are scheduled to use an inhaled bronchodilator at the same time as Relenza, use the inhaled bronchodilator before using Relenza.

Other kinds of infections can appear like influenza or occur along with influenza, and need different kinds of treatment. Contact your healthcare provider if you feel worse or develop new symptoms during or after treatment, or if your influenza symptoms do not start to get better.

In studies, the most common side effects with Relenza have been headaches; diarrhea; nausea; vomiting; nasal irritation; bronchitis; cough; sinusitis; ear, nose, and throat infections; and dizziness. Other side effects that have been reported, but were not as common, include rashes and allergic reactions, some of which were severe.

This list of side effects is not complete. Your healthcare provider or pharmacist can discuss with you a more complete list of possible side effects with Relenza. Talk to your healthcare provider promptly about any side effects you have.