Question

A. Discuss the differences between a flu epidemic and pandemic. B. Explain what is meant by a gain of function study and discuss the controversy surrounding these studies. C. Current treatment for flu consists of antivirals. Discuss the evidence that we should also be developing therapeutics that treat the disease.

Answer 1

Ans A:

A flu epidemic is an outbreak of disease that occurs over a wide geographic area and affects high proportion of people in a community, population or region. A pandemic is an epidemic that affects a whole country and spread over multiple countries or continents.

The major differences between an epidemic and pandemic is tabulated below:

Epidemic	Pandemic
Disease is actively spreading	Geographical spread of disease
Confined within a cmmunity, population or region	Spread over multiple countries or continents
Increased number of cases above normally expected	Very large number of cases in unexpected quantity
Often caused by an old or existing virus	Often caused by a new virus or new strain
Causes less death	Causes more death
Less social disruption and economic loss	More social disruption and Economic loss

Ans B:

Gain of function study is a type of research that improves the ability of a pathogen to cause disease, helps define the fundamental nature of human-pathogen interactions, thereby enabling assessment of the pandemic potential of the emerging infectious agents, informing public health and preparedness efforts and furthering medical countermeasure development.

The main controversy sorrounding the gain of function studies is genetic changes causing pathogenic strains to become transferable and transmissible in different species of animals. This led to the opportunity for discussion and debate to assess the risks and benefits of experiments that led to gain of function in pathogens with pandemic potential.

Ans C:

There are certain current guidelines and supporting literatures relating to the use of antiviral drugs for chemoprophylaxis and influenza illness therapy in clinical settings. The main focus of developing therapeutics is on the management of flu illnesses in interepidemic periods. Additional research in area of need are identified and necessary to update aspects of these guidelines as new information emerges. Some examples of antiviral therapy management includes:

• Treatment and chemoprophylaxis of Influenza A and B using Oral Oseltamivir and Inhaled Zanamivir
• Treatement and chemoprophylaxis of Influenza A and B4 using IV peramivir
• Treatment and chemoprophylaxis of Influenza A and B6 using Baloxavir