Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2001. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
PRNewswire - December 7, 2001
Increasing fear of bioterrorist actions involving the release of the smallpox virus has created a growing need for rapid HIV testing in the USA.
The press have reported that the USA government has realized the possibility of a smallpox threat and is now in the midst of preparations for an immunization program. The press have also reported, while vaccination is the most useful tool to prevent the smallpox virus, the complications resulting from immunization are pronounced in immunocompromised people, such as those with HIV/AIDS or those receiving immunosuppressing drugs. The World Health Organization (Weekly Epidemiological Record 2001:76(44):337-344) has reported that complications from smallpox vaccination can be deadly to immunocompromised people. Progressive vaccinia occurs only in immune-deficient people, and of the 11 cases reported, 4 died within 2-5 months after immunization. In light of this, HIV testing is critical prior to vaccination, and rapid HIV testing is the only means of delivering instant results.
"As a result of the foregoing events in the USA, MedMira has prepared a TIDE amendment for MedMira's Rapid HIV Test to be used prior to smallpox immunization, providing a means to minimize preventable death" stated Stephen Sham, Chairman and CEO of MedMira Inc.
MedMira is a publicly traded (CDNX:MIR), ISO 9001 registered Canadian medical biotechnology company that develops, manufactures and markets a new generation of "easy to use" rapid diagnostic tests and instrumentation to aid in the diagnosis of both infectious and non-infectious human disease.
This news release contains forward-looking statements which involve risk and uncertainties and reflect the company's current expectation regarding future events. Actual events could materially differ from those projected herein and depend on a number of factors including, but not limited to, changing market conditions, successful and timely completion of clinical studies, uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process, establishment of corporate alliances and other risks detailed from time to time in the company's quarterly filings.
SOURCE MedMira Inc.
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