Breakthrough drug to help prevent spread of flu virus

MELBOURNE: A drug which can prevent the flu virus spreading and reduce symptoms for sufferers has been developed by an international team of researchers, including the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation ( Csiro) scientists who played a key role.

Already proven to be effective in animal trials, the new drug works by disabling the influenza virus so it can’t attach itself to cells in the body and then spread, The Age reported.

By stopping the virus spreading in a patient’s body, the drug also effectively serves as a safeguard against new f lu strains sweeping through regions in an epidemic or across the globe in a pandemic.

Csiro virologist Dr Jenny McKimm- Breschkin said by studying the mechanisms the virus used to establish itself in the body, scientists were able to intervene at a critical stage of the virus’ cycle.

“Flu viruses bind on to a specific type of sugar on the surface of a cell,” Dr McKimmBreschkin said. “That then stimulates the cell to take the virus inside the cell, where it takes over and starts reproducing.”

Once established, up to 1,000 new viruses are produced, which then leave the cell to infect other cells in the lungs and upper respiratory system.

Outlined in the journal Science yesterday ( Friday), the new drug works by blocking the virus’ access to the sugars it needs to multiply and spread.