Cure Bird Flu, Avian Influenza: Kimichi Recipe, Tamiflu and Relenza
Understanding the Bird Flu or Avian Influenza (H5N1): Wild birds including chickens, ducks, turkeys and some domesticate birds, carry viruses in their intestines, which is contagious to their species, to cause them to become very sick or die. In early 2004, two domestic cats died in Thailand, eating chicken carcasses or live chickens infected with Bird Flu. Since 1997, several cases of people became infected, with Bird Flu. Scientists believe that humans contracted Bird Flu from infected poultry or contaminated surfaces, caused by infected bird excretions from saliva, nasal secretions or feces. During late 2003, and early 2004, over 100 million birds effected in many countries, either died of the disease or where killed to control the outbreak. Mid 2004, new cases of bird influenza, was reported in many South Eastern Asia Countries, including Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia. In November 2005, human infection reported in Turkey, Romania and other parts of Europe. In October 2005, Israel and Jordan set up twenty-four hour hotline, exchange any information, regarding possible future outbreaks of Bird Flu. Approximately, five million migratory birds fly over Jordan Valley, and border region between Israel, Jordan and Palestinian Authority. Israel authorized spending $10 million to purchase anti – viral drug Tamiflu.
According to World Health Organization, currently to date (November 2005), 125 people and 64 people died related to Bird Flu. Symptoms related to Bird Flu include: Fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, eye infection, pneumonia and sever respiratory illness. Early symptoms of the disease include: Diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, lung pain, and bleeding from the nose and gums. Patients often have acute respiratory distress, and require oxygen therapy or assisted breathing machine. Multiple organ failure is common, which leads to death. Currently no human bird influenza reported in the United States. According to history, the worst Bird Flu epidemic in 1918, when 40 million people died.
Researchers at Seoul National University have discovered that spicy South Korea dish, known as Kimchi (fermented cabbage), may cure Bird Flu. Kimichi recipe (Website: Global Healing Center):
KIMICHI RECIPE
3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon pickling salt
6 cups water
2 lbs. Chinese (Napa) cabbage, cut into 2-inch squares
6 scallions, cut into 2-inch lengths, then slivered
1 1/2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
2 tablespoons Korean ground dried hot pepper (or other
mildly hot ground red pepper)
1 teaspoon sugar
1. Dissolve the 3 tablespoons salt in the water. Put
the cabbage into a large bowl, a crock, or a
non-reactive pot, and pour the brine over it. Weight
the cabbage down with a plate. Let the cabbage stand
for 12 hours.
2. Drain the cabbage, reserving the brine. Mix the
cabbage with the remaining ingredients, including the
1teaspoon salt. Pack the mixture into a 2-quart jar.
Pour enough of the reserved brine over the cabbage to
cover it. Push a freezer bag into the mouth of the
jar, and pour the remaining brine into the bag. Seal
the bag. Let the kimchi ferment in a cool place, at a
temperature no higher than 68�° F, for 3 to 6 days,
until the kimchi is as sour as you like.
3. Remove the brine bag, and cap the jar tightly.
Store the kimchi in the refrigerator, where it will
keep for months.
Makes about 1 1/2 Quarts
After scientists feed, Kimichi to thirteen infected chickens, a week later, eleven of these birds recovered from the disease. When SARS (Severe acute respiratory syndrome), outbreak occurred in Asia, thousands of people where effected. Kimchi was reported to have helped prevent further outbreaks, following two years, as consumption rose. According to report in the Korea Times (November 12, 2005), local animal feeder manufacturer shipped feed additive, which effectively treats Bird Flu to Indonesia. The additive contains bacteria leuconostoc citreum found in Kimichi. Tests have shown local chickens were fed the additive, had a stronger immune system against Avian Influenza.
Currently, the drug Tamiflu (oseltamvir phosphate), manufactured by Roche Laboratories Incorporated, during pre-trials, have shown to be effective against Bird Flu. Tamiflu is prescribed as a capsule containing 75 milligrams. Side effects include mild to moderate nausea or vomiting, in one out of ten people. Less common side effects, include bronchitis, sleeplessness, and vertigo. United States is spending millions, stockpile up to 20 million doses of Tamiflu. Canada has purchased 23 million doses of Tamiflu. Roche Laboratories has licensed four generic companies (Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Barr Pharmaceuticals INc, Mylan Laboratories, and Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd.) to produce Tamiflu. Argentina and other countries are producing, their own version of Tamiflu. Many federal officials, and Department of Health and Human Services, are uncertain how effective, Tamiflu will treat this flu. One important concern, if mutations of the Bird Flu, becomes resistant to Tamiflu. This reported by Dr. John Sinnott, director of Florida Infectious Disease Institute at the University, of South Florida. Also, according to Dr. William Chui, honorary associate professor at department of pharmacology, at Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong, said: “There are now resistant H5N1 strains (Currently 15 have been identified) appearing, and we can’t totally rely on one drug (Tamiflu).”
Relenza developed by Biota Holdings Ltd (Australia), licensed global distribution to pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), which fights against Bird Flu. This powder administered by an inhaler: Ten milligrams (two inhalations) – twice daily for five days. Tests conducted by Commonwealth Scientific, and Industrial Research Oranization in Australia, concluded that Relenza stopped the Influenze Virus, from multiplying, using a sample of H5N1 virus. According to interview by IMS Health (“IMS is the global source of pharmaceutical market intelligence, providing critical information analysis, and services that drive decisions, and shape strategies”) in September 1999, Dr. James Niedel – executive director science & technology Glaxo Wellcome said “… Relenza is 100% free of side effects”. However, compared to Tamiflu, Relenza has a short shelf life, only five years. Germany had made a major order for Relenza.
Tamiflu and Relenza are neuraminidase inhibitors, which block neuraminidase enzymes, on the surface of the flu virus (Neuraminidase facilitates the virus ability to spread from cell to cell, in the respiratory tract). Both of these drugs are effective, within 48 hours, onset of influenza. According to Verispan, ending October 7, 2005, Tamiflu prescriptions collection in pharmacies, in the United States, increased 713 percent, from the same period, last year. Also, Relenza prescriptions increased to 483, compared to ninety-one.
Many companies are trying to develop vaccine against Bird Flu. However, Avian Influenza virus mutates, previous manufactured vaccines, become almost ineffective. Adopting, strains of this virus, is critical, developing new medication.
