The UK Government has finally caved in and ordered a further 15 million courses of Tamiflu, the influenza anti-viral medication which would be used in the event of a flu pandemic in an effort to contain the virus. Without any intervention whatsoever, it is predicted that a flu pandemic could infect up to half of the population. The new order will mean that the Government has ordered around 30 million courses of Tamiflu which would cover half of the population. It was originally intended that the medication would only be prescribed to those displaying symptoms but this flew in the face of medical advice which we have stated here before. In order to contain the virus it will be essential to prescribe the medication to immediate family members of infected patients as this should mean that those who do get infected will have only minor symptoms or no symptoms whatsoever as the virus is unable to replicate itself, thereby reducing the death toll.
Government ministers have also agreed to a spend of £155 million on a vaccine but this can only be developed after we know what the human to human virus looks like. It will take a few months to develop after the shape of the virus becomes known but it should stop a second wave of infections.