Drug Resistant Bird Flu In Southeast Asia

EPIDEMICS

Memphis (UPI) Sep 12, 2005
Resistance to the anti-viral drug amantadine is spreading more rapidly among avian influenza viruses of H5N1 subtype in Southeast Asia than in North America.

Investigators at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital analyzed sequence data of the so-called M2 protein of avian influenza viruses, or bird flu, from different subtypes isolated in North America and Southeast Asia during 1991-2004, by evaluating the frequency of drug-resistant strains.

Sequence data refers to the makeup of a gene coding for a particular protein -- in this case, the M2 protein. A properly functioning M2 protein is key to the virus' ability to replicate.

The St. Jude researchers demonstrated that the largest proportion of Asian drug-resistant H5 and H9 avian influenza viruses occurred in China. The findings appear in the current online edition of Virology.

EPIDEMICS

Ebola Menaces Great Ape Populations Of Central Africa

Brazzaville (AFP) Sep 07, 2005
The deadly Ebola virus, which has killed hundreds of great apes in recent years, remains one of the gravest threats to the endangered species in central Africa, according to researchers.

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