H1N1 (Swine Flu) in animals, Mink, Turkeys, Etc.

[Sourdough]

Anybody heard of a vaccine for animals against swine flu......? Seems some Turkey and Mink Farms have been hard hit in Europe.

[flandersander]

If you ask me, h1n1 is blown way out of porportion from the media. Statistics show (If i'm not mistaken) That the common flu kills more people every year than swine has. And everybody that i know that has had it has said its like the flu, but not as bad. So to be perfectly honest, i'm not very worried about swine flu. Now take from this what you will, as its me and i'm probably biast. 2cents

[vintage712]

Well, I'd imagine they tested the human H1N1 vaccine on animals first; don't see why it wouldn't serve the same function -- although it would be difficult to get hold of any of the vaccine for animal purposes. Human demand is just too high at the moment.

I agree with flandersander; this would be a minor blip if it weren't for the sensational treatment given by the media.

[Rick]

Sorry, but the facts don't bare you out. I've already had the seasonal flu shot and I'll take the H1N1 shot if I can. The post below will give you the latest numbers. Also, the CDC maintains an H1N1 page.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/12/AR2009111210635.html

http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1FLU/

Sourdough, according to the Turkey Farmers of Canada, the only symptoms of H1N1 in turkeys appears to be a drop in egg production.

http://www.turkeyfarmersofcanada.ca/onTheFarm/H1N1/

Apparently, it isn't as virulent in turkeys as H5N1 or Avian flu.

[Pal334]

I have not read anything about an animal vaccination.

Just seems a bit strange to me when the Swine flu numbers are going up, the "regular flu" numbers go down . And the total numbers of all flus are only slightly up from an historical perspective. And if the swine flu was as bad as it is reported, why are the numbers and instances of actual tests going down? I take my cue from the number of medical professionals that are not getting their children vaccinated. Just one mans thoughts...

[edr730]

On the bright side, the manufacturers are estimating a 25% success rate for the H1N1 vaccine....although that may be a boastful claim and a record breaking success rate. On the down side, Canadian studies have shown that you are more likely to catch H1N1 if you regularly get the annul flu vaccination. If you are over 65 the success rate drops by 10%. It could be that the virus will spread as the kids in the schools are given the live virus by nasal spray. Although it swept though South and Central America with little more than a whimper, we will need to wait before we can access the value of our vaccine program.

[Rick]

How do you think the virus will spread by getting the vaccine?

[edr730]

I only know that there is that risk. The studies below indicate that it may be so. We will be going though the testing phase soon. The side effects are listed as runny stuffy nose and fever, and with these symptoms, the virus that goes in may come out. Here's a warning on the package insert also:

"FluMist® recipients should avoid close contact with
immunocompromised individuals for at least 21 days."

Vesikari T., et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlledtrial of the safety, transmissibility and phenotypic stability of a live, attenuated, cold-adapted influenza virus vaccine (CAIV-T) in children attending day care. Presented at the 41st Annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, (Chicago, IL). 2001

Zangwell, Kenneth. Cold-adapted, live attenuated intranasal influenza virus vaccine. The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal 2003; 22(3):273-274.

[Rick]

Attenuated viruses are used in the polio, mmr, and chicken pox vaccines as well. It's a pretty common way to administer a vaccine. The warning isn't there because an immuno supressed person might contract H1N1 but because they could be exposed to the attenuated virus, which could cause the types of symptoms you listed above. An infection of any type would be undesirable for a immuno supressed person.

You simply can not catch the flu from the flu vaccine.

[Sourdough]

Well I just traveled 75 miles to get my Oink'ie Flu Shot.......

[Rick]

Good for you!!! While you chances of contracting the flu are probably less than some of us that have grandkids (kids) in school and running around the house, you still run the risk on your monthly pilgrimage to the big city.

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

Yeah while I am sitting here with some sort of flu, probably swine flu. I am not regretting I didn't get it. But I am 36 and feel I should let my antibodies continue to build up. I would definately get it as I get aged... I feel the same for my 6 yr. old daughter. We'll do just fine...

[Rick]

Aged?! Why you little......

[Sourdough]

36......I got tee shirts old than 36

[crashdive123]

Dadburn youngins.

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

Yep, you guys are still young at heart, just checkin'!