While we are still on the topic of possible cures, what are scientists currently researching in regards to the bird flu?
To my knowledge (and after recent literature review), there are 3 compounds with antiviral activity against influenza. The first is ribavirin, an antiviral shown active in vitro but not widely studied in vivo. Practically, this would not work well in a pandemic situation, as it is best given in an aerosolized formulation and has potential toxicities. It is currently only used for high risk infants and severely compromised patients with respiratory syncytial virus infection (similar to, but still quite different from influenza). Amantadine and rimantadine are M2 hydrogen ion channel blockers, but lead to rapidly resistant influenza virus and have not been shown to be effective against avian influenza strains. So, that leaves the neuraminidase inhibitors zanamivir and oseltamivir. H5N1 isolates are generally sensitive to oseltamivir, but resistance has been shown to occur.
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