The World Health Organization declared the virus, also known as the novel influenza A(H1N1), a global pandemic June 11.

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The World Health Organisation has said that the UK is at the forefront of preparations internationally for a pandemic influenza.

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Then, as the new virus replicates it mutates further and, if luck is on its side, some of these mutations allow it to spread from human to human - a new influenza pandemic is born.

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This was a second type of influenza: pandemic, rather than seasonal, flu.

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Which is a small piece of good news for those charged with contemplating how to deal with an influenza pandemic.

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The reason for the enthusiasm: BioCryst's influenza neuraminidase inhibitor drug candidate, peramivir, received prominent and positive mention in a New York Times article about how some discarded drug candidates may have new possibilities in treating the H5N1 avian influenza that has broken out in Southeast Asia, which many public health officials fear could develop into a global pandemic.

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