The threat of a human influenza (Swine Flu, Seasonal Flu and Bird Flu) pandemic has greatly increased over the past several years with the emergence of highly virulent avian influenza viruses, notably H5N1 viruses, which have infected humans in several Asian and European countries. Previous influenza pandemics have arrived with little or no warning, but the current widespread circulation of H5N1 viruses among avian populations and their potential for increased transmission to humans and other mammalian species may afford us an unprecedented opportunity to prepare for the next pandemic threat. The Ministry Of Health, Department of Health and Human Services is coordinating a national strategy to respond to an influenza pandemic that involves multiple agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, and Word Health Organization National Influenza Centre (NIC). Within NIC, conducts basic and clinical research to develop new vaccine technologies and antiviral drugs against influenza viruses. We describe recent research progress in preparing for pandemic influenza.

Rabies is a zoonotic viral disease caused by rabies virus, of the genus Lyssavirus, family Rhabdoviridae [1]. It is one of neglected zoonotic diseases and remains a major public health concern globally. The disease is highly risk in developing countries like Nepal [2-4]. It is an endemic and priority zoonotic disease in Nepal. Rabies is transmitted by bite of infected dogs, cats, monkeys, wild animals (mongoose, wolf, fox, raccoon, jackal and bat) to human population [5,6].

It occurs in two epidemiological cycles: the urban cycle involves domesticated dogs, and the sylvatic cycle involves wild animals [7]. The urban cycle is maintained by the street and community dogs and is the main source of human rabies. The dog population in Kathmandu valley was around 22,300 in 2012 [8]. In countries where dogs are the primary source of infection to humans, vaccination of dogs can help reduce or eliminate the human rabies burden. Vaccines help to establish pre-exposure immunity and to protect individual animals from contracting rabies, hereby preventing further spread to humans or other domestic animals [9].