Your questions about bird flu

What is the difference between medicines such as Tamiflu and a vaccine?

Tamiflu is the only anti-viral medicine marketed in New Zealand that may be effective against the flu strain circulating in birds. There is no conclusive evidence, however, of its effectiveness against the human equivalent of the virus in birds. It can be taken as an additional preventive measure, or if taken early enough after the onset of illness, can make the symptoms less severe.

A vaccine fully protects against an influenza strain, but one cannot be developed until the pandemic has emerged. It may then take up to six months to make enough for everyone.

Why is the Ministry of Health so concerned about bird flu?

Bird flu has killed, or led to the culling of millions of birds, but relatively few people have been infected; only 148 people around the world have been confirmed as having caught the virus, of whom 79 have died.

At the moment, the virus does not spread easily between humans, but virologists fear that like other flu bugs, it could change to do so. If that happens, mass populations will be rapidly infected, in much the same way the common flu is spread during winter.