But seven of the 10 mice which were given 50 mcg of the antibody preparation and the mice that were given higher dosages survived. Dr. Lu and colleagues reported that this method can be used until an efficacious vaccine, specific anti-H5N1 agents, and effective epidemiologic control measures for H5N1 virus infection was discovered. Dr. Lu and colleagues concluded that H5N1-specific passive immunotherapy can be used for the early treatment of avian influenza patients to reduce the severity of illness and the likelihood of H5N1 transmission to others. But they also said that there is a major disadvantage as in these procedure polyclonal antibodies derived from horses has the potential to cause a strong host immune response which might inhibit its use in the clinic.

Bird flu is now found in populations in Asia, Africa, and Europe. Occasionally bird flu infects humans although it is not easily transmitted between people. But health authorities are worried that the virus has the potential to become a human pandemic disease with only small genetic changes. The World Health Organization confirmed 186 cases of human infection with the H5N1 strain, of which 105 have proved fatal.