I need a hibernation...I keep thinking about Dr. Wang's bubonic ebola flu (BEF with mystery X.)
A British pharmaceutical firm states that they have developed a vaccine for the deadly H5N1 virus, commonly known as the avian bird flu.
The vaccine is unique in that it is DNA-based, as other bird flu vaccines are derived from a developing egg. This proves beneficial, as egg-produced vaccines can take up to six months to produce, while the latest DNA vaccine can be produced at a much faster rate. Dr Clive Dix, CEO of PowerMed, the manufacturer of the vaccine, believes that if necessary, 150 million vaccines could be produced in three months. Dix also states that another advantage of the vaccine is its ability to adjust to any mutations present in the bird flu, as it would take a simple alteration in the genetic code to adapt the vaccine.
The avian bird flu has already claimed the lives of over 50 people throughout Southeast Asia, and has been the cause of the mass slaughter of livestock to prevent the disease from spreading. While the virus cannot be spread easily via human contact, experts believe it is possible that mutant form of the virus could create a global pandemic.
John Oxford, professor of virology at Queen Mary's School of Medicine, considers it vital that pharmaceutical manufacturers develop different types vaccines immediately so that the world is prepared in case of a bird flu pandemic.
"The cupboard is pretty bare at the moment so it is important these companies develop the vaccines."
http://www.mydna.com/resources/news/200508/news_20050802_bflu.html