A Prospective Study to Examine the Effectiveness and Safety of Antivirals in Volunteers Who Receive Short-term Prophylaxis Against Pandemic Influenza

This aim of this project is to evaluate the efficacy of neuraminidase inhibitors as short-term prophylaxis against pandemic influenza infection in people who have close familial contact with the disease. The study is observational only. The primary measure used in this study will be the incidence of symptomatic pandemic influenza in patients receiving prophylaxis. Seroconversion to pandemic influenza, the incidence of adverse events and the relative effectiveness of oseltamivir and zanamivir prophylaxis will also be examined. This project will commence upon pandemic influenza being declared in Australia, Hong Kong or Singapore. Data will be analysed as quickly as possible to help inform the continued use of neuraminidase inhibitor therapy as a cornerstone of the public health agency response to pandemic influenza.