Dateline: 02/08/05
Antiviral Drugs and a Flu Pandemic
As part of Canada's overall planning for a potential flu pandemic, the Canadian federal government is contributing $24 million to the creation of a national stockpile of antiviral drugs to be used against an influenza pandemic. The money, along with contributions from the provincial and territory governments, will be used to buy the antiviral drug oseltamivir.
The antiviral drug would be used as an early response to a flu pandemic. It takes months to develop a vaccine for a new strain of flu, and in a flu pandemic vaccinations would not be available right away. Antiviral drugs don't protect against the flu like a vaccine, but when an antiviral drug is taken within 48 hours of the beginning of the flu, it can reduce the symptoms and length of the illness. Oseltamivir works on both influenza A and B viruses.
Antiviral Drugs Stockpile
The federal money will purchase 9.6 million doses of the antiviral drugs, enough to treat 960,000 people. Provincial and territorial contributions will bring the stockpile up to the target of 16 million doses. That is in addition to the total of 850,000 doses already in the National Emergency Stockpile System.
The stockpile would be used to treat priority groups, such as those in hospital with the flu.
Planning for a Flu Pandemic
In addition to the stockpile of antiviral drugs, measures being taken by Canadian public health officials in both federal and provincial levels of governments to plan for a flu pandemic include:
- maintenance of the Canadian Pandemic Flu Plan
- the establishment of a secure vaccine supply through the contracting of a Canadian
- a real-time alert system for serious respiratory illnesses, such as SARS
- Establishing a hospital-based surveillance system to detect cases and clusters of respiratory infections and to effectively prevent and contain their spread in acute care facilities.
How to Avoid the Flu
The Canadian Public Health Agency recommends practical steps Canadians can take to avoid the flu.
- get a flu shot every year
- wash your hands often with hot water and soap
- cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze
- if you get the flu, rest and drink lots of fluids. And stay at home, so you don't spread it to others.
