
Drugs That Could Ease a Bird Flu Pandemic Are in Short Supply
Associated Press;
Haney, Daniel Q.
[02/01/2004]
It could take months before a vaccine against avian influenza is developed, yet in the meantime the disease could mutate into a form that is passed from human to human and could lead to a global pandemic. Health experts say that influenza drugs such as Tamiflu could ease symptoms of the disease and help governments to cope with the pandemic until a vaccine is created, but there will not be enough of the drugs unless nations begin stockpiling now. The U.S. government has ordered extra Tamiflu to help deal with this year's influenza outbreak, but officials say that much greater supplies would be needed to deal with a pandemic.
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