Influenza will be observed through reality shows

[Sally Furniss]

translated from Russian

Influenza will be observed through reality shows

British scientists are preparing to conduct an unusual experiment in which they hope to learn how to effectively confront pandemics, writes The Financial Times. Researchers are looking for 200 volunteers, which will allow influenza viruses to infect themselves and agree to hold together a week.

The test will take place in the style of the popular TV reality shows ?Big Brother?. Experimental divide into groups of six people and placed in a specially adapted hotels under constant video surveillance and medical supervision, said InoPressa.ru.

The objective of the study - to understand how the virus is easily transmitted from person to person and how effective traditional methods to combat it - washing hands, wearing special masks and trying to avoid contact with zabolevshimi.

The publication sends words of Professor Jonathan Van Tama from the University of Nottingham, which, among other professionals taking part in the experiment. ?While the influenza virus during the nearly two centuries debated in scientific journals, many of the mechanisms of their proliferation remains unclear?, - he said.

The experiment is scheduled to begin in early 2009. Volunteers infect through the nose ?soft? version of the seasonal influenza virus H3N2. During the week each experimental pay for 3 thousand pounds sterling (4.5 thousand dollars).

The experiment was conducted against the backdrop of active search for a vaccine against the deadly avian influenza virus H5N1, the epidemic which at one time forced the authorities in many countries ?fork out? on the study.

As we know, this kind of flu came from Asia, and scientists do not exclude that the world may face new epidemics, have also come from developing countries.

http://for-ua.com/fun/2008/12/01/202405.html

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[Sally Furniss]

Re: Influenza will be observed through reality shows

Translated from Polish

Already a few weeks the British researchers will carry out the experiment - for a week of nearly 200 people, who will become infected, live in a specially adapted premises under constant surveillance cameras. Everything in order to check how the virus spreads and how to prevent a pandemic in the future.
The study will be carried out in the style of the popular television reality show "Big Brother" - writes the British daily "The Financial Times. Participants in the experiment will be divided into groups. In each there are six people who will be placed in a specially adapted hotels. For several days will live under constant surveillance cameras and will undergo medical checks.

Washing hands to prevent disease?

The purpose of the study is to clarify how the virus is transmitted from person to person. Carried out on the experiment will also answer questions from the traditional method of effectively fighting it. Is it helps frequent hand washing, wearing special masks, or should try to avoid contact with sick?

- While on the influenza virus, from nearly two centuries, live discussion in the scientific journals, many mechanisms for its spread is unknown - says professor Jonathan Van Dam of the University of Notting, one of the specialists involved in the experiment.

The vaccine prevents the death

Wziąłbyś whether participation in such a reality show?
Yes, we are happy to learn przysłużyłbym
Yes, but this is dependent on the risk and pay
Well, not really, not przepadam for such programs
Certainly not, I do not quit and infect


see results


The experiment is scheduled for the beginning of 2009. Volunteers will be infected by our "soft" variant of seasonal influenza virus H3N2. Weekly experiment for each participant receives about 3 thousand. pounds (4.5 per thousand USD).

http://www.tvn24.pl/12691,1575456,0,1,zaraza-grypa-w-domu-wielkiego-brata,wiadomosc.html
Scientists say that the experiment will be carried out also in order to be able to find a vaccine against deadly avian influenza virus H5N1. The epidemic of avian influenza forced the authorities of many countries to start the research on the virus. As you know, a fatal type of influenza comes from Asia, and scientists do not exclude the possibility that the world may face a new epidemic, also originating from developing countries.

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: Influenza will be observed through reality shows

Scientists plan ‘Big Brother’ flu experiment

By Andrew Jack
Published: December 1 2008 02:47 | Last updated: December 1 2008 02:47

<script type="text/javascript" language="javascript"> function floatContent(){var paraNum = "3" paraNum = paraNum - 1;var tb = document.getElementById('floating-con');var nl = document.getElementById('floating-target');if(tb.getElementsByTagName("div").length> 0){if (nl.getElementsByTagName("p").length>= paraNum){nl.insertBefore(tb,nl.getElementsByTagName("p")[paraNum]);}else {if (nl.getElementsByTagName("p").length == 3){nl.insertBefore(tb,nl.getElementsByTagName("p")[2]);}else {nl.insertBefore(tb,nl.getElementsByTagName("p")[0]);}}}}</script>British researchers plan to recruit 200 volunteers to be infected with flu while living together during week-long experiments, in order to deepen understanding of how to tackle a pandemic.

In a groundbreaking Big Brother-style trial, recruits will be divided into groups of half a dozen. They will spend their time sleeping, eating and socialising in specially adapted hotels under constant camera observation and medical supervision.

The aim is to gather information on how and how easily they contract flu from each other and the effectiveness of hand washing, face masks and keeping their distance to prevent infection.

Jonathan Van-Tam, professor of health protection at the University of Nottingham, who is helping develop the trials, said the studies reflected how much remains unknown about flu transmission, nearly two centuries after medical journals began discussing the issue.

“Transmission is poorly understood and hotly debated,” he said. Disagreement remained on such as whether flu was contracted by airborne particles or via surfaces touched by hand.

He is raising funds for the work, which expands research on infections’ transmission carried out until 1989 by the government’s Common Cold Unit near Salisbury.

The Department of Health is believed to be among those considering support. While fear of a flu pandemic from the H5N1 strain has spurred large investments in preparation plans and the development and purchase of drugs and vaccines, many more fundamental questions about basic infection are still open and could affect a pandemic’s impact.

Professor John Oxford, a leading researcher on influenza, said he expected the “challenge quarantine” studies to begin early next year through his company, Retroscreen Virology. He said they would use a mild variant of the H3N2 seasonal flu virus called A-Wisconsin tested in his laboratories, with a volunteer infected through the nose and subsequent observation to see how it spread to others.

He said volunteers would be paid about £3,000 ($4,592) each for a week-long trial.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/122edae2-bf36-11dd-ae63-0000779fd18c.html?nclick_check=1

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: Influenza will be observed through reality shows

[from Retroscreen website]

Latest News

04/11/2008

Retroscreen successfully completes a clinical trial to characterise a new potential challenge virus

Retroscreen Virology Limited, a global leader in anti-viral research, clinical trials and experimental challenge studies, is pleased to announce it has completed a new clinical trial in human volunteers to characterise a new influenza A challenge virus (A/Wisconsin/67/2005 (H3N2)) for later use in the evaluation of vaccines and antiviral drugs. The study took place in a Phase I unit (LCG Biosciences in Cambridge), dedicated to early phase clinical development.

The trial examined the infectious titre of virus required to cause mild illness in volunteers. In addition a variety of samples were obtained from the volunteers during the infection. These samples will be used to help develop new diagnostic techniques and laboratory tests which may be invaluable in the event of a Pandemic influenza outbreak.

The preliminary results of the study are expected to be announced at Retroscreen's conference on the Pandemic of 1918 on the 10th of November 2008 (see conference.retroscreen.com)

Dr. Robert Lambkin-Williams, Managing Director of Retroscreen Virology Limited, commented: "Retroscreen prides itself on conducting clincal studies with the highest standard of care for our volunteers, because these individuals are helping us to develop tomorrow's drugs. The Phase I unit we used has been superb in both the facilities they provide for our volunteers, as well as the medical care. We look forward to a continued relationship with this unit for early phase studies going forward."

- ENDS -

For further information:
Retroscreen Virology Limited
Robert Lambkin-Williams, Managing Director Tel: +44 (0) 20 8709 4900
rlw@retroscreen.com www.retroscreen.com

Media enquiries:
Abchurch
Stephanie Cuthbert / Simone Alves Tel: +44 (0) 20 7398 7700
stephanie.cuthbert@abchurch-group.com www.abchurch-group.com

Notes to Editors

Retroscreen are global leaders in anti-viral research, clinical trials and experimental challenge studies. Based in London, the Company currently employs over 50 people, generating a turnover (2006/7) of approximately ?5 million. Retroscreen conducts virucidal and virustatic testing, pre-clinical and clinical trails for global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies that are developing antiviral drugs and vaccines. The Company is ISO9001 accredited and is partnered with a number of leading UK universities, including Queen Mary, University of London.

Clinical trials: Retroscreen conducts approximately five clinical trails each year, which involve several hundred candidates each, carefully selected from a database of over 4000 people. The Company offers a comprehensive service from protocol and case report form design through to effecting and co-ordinating the study, and it is currently expanding into data management and monitoring. The Company is especially renowned for its unique experimental challenge studies, conducted under strict quarantine conditions at its UK Flu Camps (see www.flucamp.com).

Pre-clinical: Retroscreen has invested in the development and optimisation of in vitro antiviral assay techniques for preclinical studies. The Company specialises in assays for respiratory viruses such as influenza, RSV, and rhinovirus (the common cold), as well as gastrointestinal viruses and HIV among others.

Retroscreen is also part of a consortium led by QinetiQ Nanomaterials Limited, a wholly owned QinetiQ subsidiary, which is developing a range of viral treatments from nanomaterials. The two year programme, which was completed recently, was funded by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) who allocated ?2 million to the project.

Furthermore, Retroscreen is the lead participant in the European Surveillance Network for Vigilance against Viral Resistance (VIRGIL), which was established with a grant of ?9 million from the European Union. Virgil is a network of excellence that aims to integrate and coordinate the activities of doctors and scientists from institutions across Europe who are investigating viral resistance.

For more information on Retroscreen please visit www.retroscreen.com
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http://www.retroscreen.com/rv/news/rel/allnews_rel/2008/2008-11-04/
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