Understanding the ABCs of Flu

As health officials closely monitor H1N1 flu cases this flu season, scientists everywhere are working swiftly to understand more about the 2009 pandemic influenza H1N1 virus strain.

Recent estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are that between 41 million and 84 million people in the Unites States have been infected with 2009 H1N1 since last April. The CDC also estimates between 183,000 and 378,000 people have been hospitalized and between 8,330 and 17,160 people have died from this flu since it emerged.

Influenza viruses are classified as Types A, B, or C. The H3N2 and H1N1 subtypes of influenza A viruses are responsible for seasonal outbreaks in people. The 2009 H1N1 flu virus will be included in the next seasonal flu vaccine when it becomes available in the fall.

MRIGlobal has significant capabilities in the field of virology. The Institute recently won two CDC programs to perform an independent evaluation of point-of-care diagnostic devices in advanced development and to create surrogate clinical specimens containing live H5N1 viruses. Since influenza viruses can mutate rapidly and emerge into new threats such as the deadly H5N1, MRIGlobal’s evaluation of prototype diagnostic devices designed to rapidly detect influenza viruses and distinguish between common and H5N1 viruses has potential to help save lives on a global scale.