Posted April 27, 2009
Temple experts respond to swine flu outbreak
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As new cases of swine flew are being confirmed around the world, officials are taking emergency measures to contain the disease and quickly treat those afflicted. Temple experts in public health, science, medicine and pharmaceuticals are available to talk with reporters about emergency preparedness, vaccine development and the nature of this outbreak. |
| (Swine flu update for students and staff) |
| How vaccines work |
| Laszlo Otvos, research professor in biology at Temple University and an expert in vaccine development, can discuss the basic science behind vaccines, how a vaccine for a virus like swine flu would be developed and whether the general flu vaccine would work against swine flu. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, vaccines are available to prevent swine flu in pigs but not in humans. The seasonal flu vaccine will likely help provide partial protection against swine H3N2, but not swine H1N1 viruses. Otvos is currently in Hungary, but can be reached by cell phone; call Eryn Jelesiewicz at 215-204-8878 for contact information. |
| Understanding swine flu | |
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Thomas Fekete, M.D., section chief of infectious diseases at Temple University School of Medicine and Hospital, can break down the minute-by-minute information coming out on swine flu. Whether it’s the latest statistics from the CDC or newspaper headlines, Fekete can explain what is being reported about this still emerging and evolving story. "The normal flu season is the winter season and we see the flu circulate a few weeks with a different strain here and there, and then it's gone until the next year," Fekete said. "But with this, we are seeing it now, afflicting a very different age range and with a much higher mortality rate than you'd expect. So, it's definitely following different rules, flowing differently with different consequences." Fekete can be reached at 215-707-1982. He is unavailable noon to 1 p.m. EST. |
| How the virus works, its spread |
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Deborah Nelson, Ph.D., directs the master's program in epidemiology at the College of Health Professions, and studies the distribution of disease and injury in human populations. Nelson can talk about the influenza virus, how it's spread, who is most vulnerable, and can offer observations/suggestions/reactions from a public health standpoint. Nelson can be reached at 215-204-9659.
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Getting the word out, its effects |
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| Sarah Bass, Ph.D., associate professor of public health and director of the undergraduate program in public health, has expertise is in risk communication, how information is disseminated during a pandemic, and the public's attitudes towards such information, particularly as it applies to vaccinations and quarantines. She can talk about how information has been given to the public thus far, and health information and its relationship to feelings of self efficacy and patient behavior. “The coverage thus far has been a little over the top, especially considering there have been no U.S. deaths. The reported numbers need to be put in perspective: the regular flu kills upwards of 25,000 a year. The potential of a pandemic flu could be devastating if the virus mutates into something more lethal, but I suspect we’ll know a lot more by the end of the week about this.” Bass can be reached at 215-204-5110. |
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| The role of pharmaceuticals |
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Several antiviral drugs, which had been stockpiled for avian flu, are available as possible treatments for swine flu, said Albert Wertheimer, professor of pharmacy administration, but no one knows with 100 percent certainty if they’ll be effective. Wertheimer, an international authority in pharmacoeconomics and the pharmaceutical industry, can comment on the availability and effectiveness of therapies for swine flu as well as the impact of the current outbreak on pharmaceutical business. He can be reached by phone at 215-707-1291 or by e-mail at albert.wertheimer@temple.edu.
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| Fear and Panic Over Swine Flu |
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Frank Farley, Ph.D., a Temple University psychologist and an expert in human behavior, can discuss the fear and panic being caused by the uncertainty about swine flu and the news media saturation of the situation. Farley can be reached on his cell phone at 215-668-7581. |