Convalescent Plasma Therapy
Abstract
In 1997, a novel influenza A/H5Nl virus strain infected Hong Kong residents exposed to poultry. In 2003, a closely related influenza AIH5N1 strain, also derived from poultry, infected residents of Hong Kong. As of March 2008, the World Health Organization reported 357 cases and 235 deaths in humans across 14 countries. More importantly, the virus in poultry and wild birds has continued to mutate and evolve such that several diverse clades are now apparent. In past influenza virus threats (eg: 1957, 1968, and 1976) the Department of Defense (DOD) was directly involved with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in developing and evaluating surveillance and epidemiologic data, vaccine selection, evaluating vaccine immunogenicity and reactogenicity, as well as performing vaccine efficacy studies. In the1980s, the DoD began to play a less active role in national influenza vaccine research and development. In 2005, prompted by Secretary Winkenwerder, a subcommittee was formed under the previous Armed Forces Epidemiological Board (AFEB) to advise Surgeons Generals and other DoD members on matters relating to pandemic influenza (PI), including providing recommendations for optimizing surveillance and preparation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 14, 2008
- Accession Number
- AD1034205
Entities
Organizations
- Defense Health Board