Antiviral strategies for emerging influenza viruses in remote communities.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Due to the lack of timely access to resources for critical care, strategic use of antiviral drugs is crucial for mitigating the impact of novel influenza viruses with pandemic potential in remote and isolated communities. We sought to evaluate the effect of antiviral treatment and prophylaxis of close contacts in a Canadian remote northern community.

Methods

We used an agent-based, discrete-time simulation model for disease spread in a remote community, which was developed as an in-silico population using population census data. Relative and cumulative age-specific attack rates, and the total number of infections in simulated model scenarios were obtained.

Results

We found that early initiation of antiviral treatment is more critical for lowering attack rat

SUBMITTER: Laskowski M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3931825 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature