Determination Of The Efficacy And Resistance Profile Of A Long Acting Neuraminidase Inhibitor Against Several Avian Infl
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$91,350.00
Summary
Recent events have again highlighted influenza�s potential to cause a worldwide pandemic or be used as an agent of biowarfare. As of August 2005, the highly pathogenic Avian Flu sweeping through Asia has infected 112 people, killing 57. Over 150 million chickens have been slaughtered in an attempt to stop its spread, but with infection documented in migratory birds, containment may be difficult if not impossible. Experts believe that it is only a matter of time before the Avian Flu virus is capa ....Recent events have again highlighted influenza�s potential to cause a worldwide pandemic or be used as an agent of biowarfare. As of August 2005, the highly pathogenic Avian Flu sweeping through Asia has infected 112 people, killing 57. Over 150 million chickens have been slaughtered in an attempt to stop its spread, but with infection documented in migratory birds, containment may be difficult if not impossible. Experts believe that it is only a matter of time before the Avian Flu virus is capable of human to human transmission which could result in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. Should a pandemic arise, either through purposely-engineered or natural processes such as avian influenza, effective vaccines are unlikely to be available for at least 3-6 months. In such an event, treatment of infection and prevention of spread through post-exposure prophylaxis would be optimal, while pre-exposure prophylaxis would be most suited to key personnel such as army, medical and emergency-response staff. Biota is a world leading antiviral drug discovery company based in Melbourne, Australia with key expertise in viral respiratory diseases, particularly influenza. Biota developed the first in class neuraminidase inhibitors (NAI) drug, zanamivir (Relenza) and through a partnership with Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK) brought it to market. Biota also developed the FluOIA� for the rapid detection of Influenza A and B. Work has been underway at Biota for some time to develop a new generation of influenza drugs designed to be more active and longer acting than the first generation products. These long acting neuraminidase inhibitors (LANI) have the benefit of less frequent administration and a lower treatment dose making them an ideal choice for stockpiling. The proposed project aims to test the antiviral activity of LANI compound against the H5N1 influenza. The results of which could assist in a decision to fast track the clinical development of the compound with the aim of adding to the national stock pile of antivirals, thus helping Australia to prevent, prepare for and respond to a potential avian influenza-induced pandemic.Read moreRead less
Risk Of Brain Cancer From Exposure To Radiofrequency Fields In Childhood And Adolescence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$708,426.00
Summary
Mobile phone use is increasing in Australia, especially among children and young adults. This study is the Australian arm of an international multi-centre study that will investigate exposure to radiofrequency radiation from mobile phone use during childhood and adolescence and later onset of brain tumours in people between the ages of 10 and 24 years. There is considerable community concern and scientific interest about possible health effects from mobile phone exposure in young people and this ....Mobile phone use is increasing in Australia, especially among children and young adults. This study is the Australian arm of an international multi-centre study that will investigate exposure to radiofrequency radiation from mobile phone use during childhood and adolescence and later onset of brain tumours in people between the ages of 10 and 24 years. There is considerable community concern and scientific interest about possible health effects from mobile phone exposure in young people and this multi-centre study will provide important information about such cancer risks.Read moreRead less
Surveillance And Analysis Of Avian Influenza Viruses In Wild Birds In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,237.00
Summary
Birds are commonly infected with bird flu viruses but most of these viruses do not cause disease. However, certain types of bird flu viruses, such as the H5N1 strain, can cause severe illness and death in 100% of infected birds. There is currently an epidemic of H5N1 bird flu occurring in Asia. Occasionally humans become infected by bird to human transmission and since 2003, 130+ people have been infected with H5N1 resulting in 60+ deaths. There are 3 ways in which dangerous strains of the virus ....Birds are commonly infected with bird flu viruses but most of these viruses do not cause disease. However, certain types of bird flu viruses, such as the H5N1 strain, can cause severe illness and death in 100% of infected birds. There is currently an epidemic of H5N1 bird flu occurring in Asia. Occasionally humans become infected by bird to human transmission and since 2003, 130+ people have been infected with H5N1 resulting in 60+ deaths. There are 3 ways in which dangerous strains of the virus may be brought to Australia by; infected people, domestic birds and migratory wading birds. In order to monitor the import of these viruses by migratory birds we will catch and take samples from large numbers of these birds in important areas where they congregate close to humans and poultry farms. We will identify what types of bird flu viruses these birds are carrying and if the viruses are capable of causing disease in birds and humans. We will also see if they can be treated by the influenza drugs that we currently have and we will study these viruses to find new drug targets. These viruses are commonest in ducks. Migratory wading birds and local ducks live in the same habitats so there is the chance that the wading birds and ducks could pass the viruses to each other. There is an additional concern that non-disease causing viruses could mutate in ducks and become pathogenic and pass from bird to bird or even human to human transmission which could cause a major human epidemic of bird flu in Australia. So we will also take samples from local ducks that occur in the same areas as the wading birds and test them for viruses as well. Our results will show what kinds of viruses are being carried by wading birds and ducks and if these viruses are a danger to people and poultry. We can then manage important areas so that humans and poultry do not come into contact with these viruses.Read moreRead less
Production Of Nasal Filters: Enhanced Prophylactic Protection From Aerosol Exposure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$147,000.00
Summary
Influenza is a highly contagious disease that is transmitted via infective secretions containing the virus. An infected person produces tiny droplets of these secretions when coughing, sneezing, and talking, and the droplets are disseminated into the air where they are subsequently inhaled by others. A common way of preventing such transmission is to wear a mask to prevent droplet inhalation. While such masks may greatly reduce exposure, they do not eliminate it, as some viruses can pass around ....Influenza is a highly contagious disease that is transmitted via infective secretions containing the virus. An infected person produces tiny droplets of these secretions when coughing, sneezing, and talking, and the droplets are disseminated into the air where they are subsequently inhaled by others. A common way of preventing such transmission is to wear a mask to prevent droplet inhalation. While such masks may greatly reduce exposure, they do not eliminate it, as some viruses can pass around the edges of masks, particularly if it fits poorly, and also a small percentage can pass through the filter material. While influenza is usually not a major health problem in the general community, the emergence of a more hazardous strain will place an additional burden on health care and other facilities, and requires the development and optimization of measures to minimize virus spread and protect those who are exposed. The aim of this project is to build small filters that can be worn in the nose to provide additional filtration of inhaled air. These filters would be worn in combination with a mask in high exposure circumstances, such as by health care workers when treating infected patients or could be used when a mask was not normally worn to provide effective and discreet protection, such as in crowded public places. Developing such filters builds on our experience of making small samplers worn in the nose to measure allergen exposure. This experience is combined with advanced filter materials developed by leading US researchers that permit the efficient filtration of particles as small as viruses. This project will be conducted in collaboration with a leading Australian design group, and we will design and evaluate such filters for their ability to capture virus and thus protect the wearer. The filters should provide an intuitive, effective and inexpensive method to be used in combination with other hygiene measures to increase personal protection from acquiring highly transmissible respiratory diseases, particularly influenza. We expect to have prototypes of the filters available in 6 months so that production can commence.Read moreRead less