Routine infection control strategies are likely to have the most benefit
There is increasing concern regarding the possibility of another influenza pandemic arising from genetic mutation or reassortment of the avian influenza strain H5N1.1-3 Governments have stockpiled billions of dollars worth of antiviral agents, even though efficacy may be limited.4 Vaccines are being developed for a disease that does not yet exist.5 Many birds have been destroyed in the hope of preventing a possible future mutation and spread of disease to humans.6 Meanwhile, since the 1918 influenza pandemic, the seasonal winter flu has killed more people than the number who died in the pandemic.7
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- 1 Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC.
- 2 Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- 3 Emergency Department, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- 4 Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom.
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