biota liberation army press release 01/2009

Negligent health authorities allowed swine flu into this country at a time when difficult but appropriate action was still possible.
Cumulative Australian swine flu cases are increasing at a compound rate of around 4% per day and W.H.O. says it is unstoppable. In a few months the total will probably be around 1 million.
The World Health Organisation, Governments and all Australians should be much more concerned about swine flu and treatment. Viruses are remarkably adaptable to the point where medical technology and political will are unable to contain them or prevent mutation.
Widespread enforced quarantine requires great political fortitude and public cooperation. There were great problems in Australia with this procedure during the plague and also spanish flu pandemics. There is no indication of planning for effective quarantine procedures in the 21st century.
Finally, the only possibility will be treatment. Tamiflu and Relenza are the only antivirals still effective for treatment of swine flu. Despite public positions by governments and vaccine manufacturers, there is no real prospect of an effective vaccine for the developing virus. Just a huge windfall for those who provide yesterday’s vaccine for tomorrow’s flu.
Seasonal flu is almost completely resistant to Tamiflu. When swine flu mixes with a normal flu strain, it is likely that Tamiflu will no longer be effective for the slowly mutating swine flu. Despite protests by spin doctors, there are already actual instances of virus resistance.
An Australian biotech company, Biota, developed Relenza, distributed by GlaxoKlineSmith, which pays a royalty to Biota. Relenza is effective for treatment of seasonal flu strains and swine flu, with no virus resistance. So why are we giving swine flu victims Tamiflu?
Government stockpiles of Tamiflu have a use-by-date, initially 5 years, but extended to 7, and anyway, it will soon be useless for treatment of swine flu. They just have to get rid of it to avoid the political fallout from its destruction.
Antivirals need to be taken within 2 days of symptoms. By the time it is obvious that your seasonal or swine flu is resistant to Tamiflu, it will be too late for Relenza treatment, which should have been your original choice.
GSK also manufactures vaccines. By the time it is obvious that they are ineffective, they will have made enormous profits from in-house development, manufacture and distribution. When the patent on Relenza expires and GSK successfully patents a non-inhaler delivery method, generic Relenza production by other manufacturers will be non competitive.
Fortunately Biota has superior antivirals in their development pipeline, with an announcement expected 31st July.