APEIR Publication

Answer

Is there a vaccine to protect against this new H7N9 virus?

No, right now there is no vaccine to protect against this virus. WHO, CDC and others partners/institution are working to develop a vaccine candidate virus that could be used to make a vaccine if it is needed.

Are there medicines to treat illness associated with this virus?

WHO and CDC US recommend oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) and zanamivir (Relenza®) for treatment of H7N9. Most of the H7N9 viruses that have been studied are likely susceptible (sensitive) to the two influenza antiviral drugs that are used to treat seasonal flu. Those drugs are oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) and zanamivir (Relenza®) (neuraminidase inhibitors). Like seasonal influenza viruses, avian A(H7N9) viruses are resistant to the influenza antiviral drugs known as the adamantanes.It’s important to note that influenza viruses may acquire genetic changes which can make one or more influenza antiviral drugs less effective. This happens with seasonal influenza viruses and could happen with H7N9 viruses found in China.

Source:

CDC US (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/h7n9-faq.htm)

WHO (http://www.who.int/influenza/human_animal_interface/faq_H7N9/en/)