"The virus is evolving very fast." - Professor Wolfgang Preiser, head of virology at Stellenbosch University
SHOOT: A distinction must be made between antivirals and a vaccine. Right now there is no vaccine and a vaccine for flu can never be 100% foolproof. Antivirals are fairly toxic but can help patients in extreme distress.
South Africa has not stockpiled enough antiviral medication to cope if a swine flu pandemic hits the country, a local academic has warned.
And another virology specialist says local stocks should not be squandered and should be administered only to those with suspected or confirmed infection.
South Africa could manage an outbreak of only a few thousand people, said Professor Wolfgang Preiser, head of virology at Stellenbosch University, while Professor Ed Rybicki, of UCT's Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, said there was "definitely not nearly enough" medication in stock to deal with a pandemic, which could affect millions of people.
"At this stage, treatment should be given only to those who have conditions that put them at serious risk. Not everyone who's been in Mexico should be treated.
"If we start giving treatment to everyone there's a danger that we might end up putting pressure on, and wasting, the antiviral drugs that we have in stock," he said.
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