C.D.C. Begins Work on Vaccine for China Flu

A new strain of the China Flu has been affecting areas of China. Health officials are working to fight against the spread of the flu and produce a vaccine to protect the people as it poses a  potential threat . This new virus proved fatal for six people, worrying disease prevention and control officials. The genetic sequences provided by China allows scientists to begin the process of creating and growing a vaccine in sterile chicken eggs.

“Then the seed vaccine must be tested in ferrets. They will be vaccinated and given some time to grow antibodie then a solution of the H7N9 flu will be squirted into their noses. Doctors will then have to wait a few days to see if they get sick.”

The process of creating the vaccine appropriate to battle the H7N9 strain of bird flu could take months. After the vaccine being produced, tested and manufactured time could be running out and the flu may infect many more. The degree to which infected people are affected by symptoms of this flu is relatively unknown. With only 14 recorded cases, it is possible that this virus is more widespread, yet is not affecting the majority of the population in a lethal manner. However, the expansion of strains of bird flu cannot be taken lightly. As officials saw with other bird flus, they can be aggressive and cause many fatalities in an area.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more information on this article view :

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/05/world/asia/cdc-has-begun-work-on-vaccine-for-new-china-flu.html or

http://www.news24.com/Green/News/Bird-flu-vaccine-many-months-away-20130412