UPI : reported that New point-of-care test may help tackle flu pandemics

May 10 (UPI) -- Researchers have developed a fast and easy-to-use point-of-care diagnostic test that has the potential to stave off global flu pandemics. The traditional method of flu diagnostics involves expensive techniques, laboratory facilities, trained staff and time, which can be problematic during flu outbreaks or pandemics. Researchers trained staff at Seattle Children's Hospital to use the device on 25 patients during a flu outbreak. In a recent study, published in the journal Analytical Chemistry, researchers used multiple steps in influenza detection including viral lysis, target protein capture, labeling, rinsing and an enzyme-driven color change into a single point-of-care diagnostic device. The device, which researchers say costs less than $6 each, works by analyzing the contents of a cotton swab from inside a patient's nose.

Many U.S. daycare centers may lack plans for pandemic flu

By Lisa RapaportFewer than one in 10 U.S. daycare center directors have taken concrete steps to prepare for a pandemic flu outbreak, a recent study suggests. Few directors said they had written plans to for pandemic flu preparation, trained staff or communicated with parents about this possibility, the study found. For the study, Shope and colleagues examined survey data collected from 1,500 daycare centers in 2008 and from 518 directors in 2016. But there's no vaccine for pandemic influenza, and it takes months once a new virus is discovered to develop a new vaccine for it, he added. "Pandemic influenza is different than seasonal influenza," said lead study author Dr. Timothy Shope of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

GAO: USDA may not be doing enough to prevent bird flu outbreaks

Just in the past few months, there have already been a number of new avian flu scares. One of the problems with the safeguards in place, many believe, is it does not deal with wild birds. Dive Insight:Avian flu outbreaks in 2014 and 2016 killed millions of birds. Nearly 50 million birds died or were killed in the H5N2 avian flu outbreak that spread to several states in 2014 and 2015. Following this year's first report of bird flu, many of the top poultry producers were quick to respond.


collected by :Lucy William
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