GLOSSARY

Adjuvant

Substance added to a drug (such as a vaccine containing specific antigens) in order to stimulate a better immune response by the body, thereby reducing the required dose of antigen.

Step-by-step instructions to be followed in order to solve a problem (e.g. to make a diagnosis).

M2 inhibiting antiviral drug.

Protein produced by the immune system, which binds to a specific antigen, and when produced in sufficient numbers will eliminate antigens of this type from the body.

Substance, often a protein, foreign to the body, that stimulates the production of antibodies by the immune system.

Drug that is effective against a virus; may work by inhibiting proteins on the virus surface which are important to the virus getting in and out of the host cell.

The proportion of the at-risk population who become infected or develop clinical illness during a defined period of time such as an epidemic or pandemic.

Infection in birds caused by the influenza virus.

Outbreak of disease affecting a much greater number of people than is usual for the locality, or that spreads to regions where it is ordinarily not present.

Subtypes of the influenza virus, so called by reference to their haemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N) antigens. A total of 15 different H and 9 different N antigens have been identified, though within each of these subtypes there are many further variations.

Antigen (protein) on the surface of the influenza virus that allows it to bind onto and attack healthy cells.

The more deadly forms of avian influenza (such as H5N1), leading in many cases to the rapid death of entire flocks of poultry.

The less deadly forms of avian influenza, often producing a relatively mild infection.

Antiviral drug that probably works by preventing the virus from entering host cells.

Antigen (protein) on the surface of the influenza virus that allows it to break out of infected cells.

Antiviral drug that limits the action of the neuraminidase proteins in the influenza virus.

Neuraminidase inhibiting antiviral drug marketed under the name "Tamiflu".

Significant increase in occurrence of infection.

Epidemic widely distributed in space, usually involving several countries or the whole world.

Preventative (of treatment).

Treatment to prevent the onset of disease.

The mixing of human and avian influenza viruses, though simultaneous infection of an animal susceptible to both strains—such as a pig—leading to the production of a new virus sub-type incorporating both human and avian influenza virus genetic material.

See reassortment.

The average number of secondary cases of infection to which one primary case gives rise throughout its infectious period.

M2 inhibiting antiviral drug.

Neuraminidase inhibiting antiviral drug marketed under the name "Relenza".

Acronyms and abbreviations

BRC	British Retail Consortium
COBRA	Cabinet Office Briefing Room A, location of the Civil Contingencies Committee
Defra	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
DfID	Department for International Development
EMEA	European Medicines Evaluation Agency
FAO	Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
FSA	Food Standards Agency
H	Haemagglutinin
H1N1 etc.	See Glossary
HPA	Health Protection Agency
HPAI	High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza
IOD	Institute of Directors
LPAI	Low Pathogenicity Avian Influenza
N	Neuraminidase
NIBSC	National Institute for Biological Sciences and Control
NIMR	National Institute for Medical Research
OIE	World Organization for Animal Health
PCT	Primary Care Trust
RCGP	Royal College of General Practitioners
Ro	Reproduction rate (see Glossary)
SARS	Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
UN	United Nations
UVIG	United Kingdom Vaccine Industry Group
vCJD	Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (human form of BSE)
WHO	World Health Organization