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2009 H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Information Center

As the swine flu outbreak continues, CSL Biotherapies is deeply concerned and sympathetic to the people and families who have been affected. We have pandemic preparedness plans in place and are making every effort to assist in safeguarding the public’s health, including our employees.

At the same time, in collaboration with public health officials in the United States and Australia and with the World Health Organization (WHO), CSL Biotherapies is involved in the early steps of developing and manufacturing an H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine pending our company’s receipt of a sample of this new H1N1 strain.

CSL Ltd., parent company to CSL Biotherapies, will initially be working on four strains of the virus—one from Mexico, two from California and one from New Zealand. The WHO will obtain those strains from the field. CSL Biotherapies will then process the strains to create a form of the virus that is safe to use in a vaccine, and that is suitable for large-scale vaccine production.

In addition to this conventional method of flu vaccine production, CSL will be using a genetic synthesis approach to building a vaccine using genetic information already obtained from the swine flu strain. That activity will take place in our BSL2+-certified (Biosafety Level 2+) facilities in Melbourne, Australia.

CSL Biotherapies continues to monitor the outbreak situation closely, and will issue updates on our progress in developing a vaccine to prevent new infections of H1N1.

As a general precaution against H1N1 and any other type of influenza, CSL Biotherapies urges you to take the following steps:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
  • Clean your hands often to prevent the spread of germs.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
  • Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious foods.