ZMTX ZymeTx Launches Flu Season Surveillance Amid Bioterrorism Fears; NFSN Viewed
as Potential Tool in National Counter Bioterrorism
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oct 11, 2001 (BW HealthWire) -- The National Flu Surveillance
Network(TM) (NFSN) today officially launched its 2001-2002 winter flu season
surveillance initiative amid high national interest and concern about the
prospects of bioterrorism this winter.
"Never before has there been a flu season where obtaining a timely flu diagnosis
takes on such importance," commented Norman Proulx, ZymeTx, Inc., president and
chief executive officer. "A point-of-care flu diagnostic test adds much-needed
certainty to a diagnosis and enables physicians to prescribe appropriate
treatment in a prompt manner."
ZymeTx developed the world's first point-of-care flu diagnostic test using its
patented neuraminidase technology, ZstatFlu(R), which delivers 99 percent
specificity on positive tests within 20 minutes.
The NFSN, a service of ZymeTx, Inc. (OTCBB:ZMTX), identifies, tracks, monitors
and reports the presence and prevalence of flu outbreaks via its Internet site
at www.FluWatch.com. Currently 6,300 physicians report influenza test results
regularly from more than 1,000 locations across the nation. Physicians use the
ZstatFlu diagnostic test to pinpoint flu in their area.
"Anthrax and other biological threats cited as possible weapons initially
present as flu-like symptoms," said Dr. Robert Hudson, NFSN Managing Director.
"Rapid influenza testing and an extensive surveillance network are critical
components in plans to identify potential bioterrorist attacks."
"As the Federal Government engages in preparing a comprehensive Homeland
Security plan, it is important to carefully examine the potential of privately
developed systems such as the National Flu Surveillance Network to provide
intelligence in the country's efforts to thwart a bio-agent outbreak," stated
Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating.
The NFSN posted on its www.FluWatch.com website information about symptoms and
characteristics of biological agents that are potential weapons of terrorists.
Currently, public health officials, legislators and primary care providers are
debating the nation's readiness and capabilities in the event of a biological
terrorist attack. Jonathan Tucker, Ph.D., of the Monterey Institute of
International Studies in Washington, D.C., testified during a U.S. Senate
Appropriations hearing that a gap exists in detecting the presence of biological
agents and that effective disease surveillance needs to be connected to public
health systems. Hudson said he believes ZymeTx's NFSN is a significant step
toward filling the gap Dr. Tucker spoke to in his remarks.
"A number of health and bioterrorism experts across the country brought forth
the need for a much broader and more timely disease detection and surveillance
as part of a national bioterrorism defense plan over the past few days," said
Dr. Robert L. Petrone, Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Coordinator for
the Oklahoma State Department of Health. "The National Flu Surveillance Network
represents a useful model of surveillance technology and data presentation that
can assist our country in successfully combating bioterrorism."
"The National Flu Surveillance Network at www.FluWatch.com already reports in
virtual real time the detection and location of influenza across the United
States," said Hudson. "Our established network and reporting system has the
potential to be a model for national counter-bioterrorism surveillance."
Hudson said the NFSN could alert public health and investigative authorities of
variations in normal influenza patterns. This is especially important when an
influx of patients with flu-like symptoms are tested and found not to have the
flu, thus triggering protocols to quickly identify the causative agent.
The NFSN is the only influenza surveillance network that operates year round.
"Our surveillance indicated that 38 states reported positive cases of influenza
this summer," said Hudson. "Though primarily a winter disease, influenza is
present year round, as is our surveillance and reporting."
About The Company
ZymeTx, Inc., headquartered in Oklahoma City, is a biotechnology company engaged
in the development of technology to produce products for the diagnosis and
treatment of viral disease, viral management and disease surveillance. The
company developed ZstatFlu, the world's first rapid point-of-care test capable
of detecting both Influenza A and B, and the National Flu Surveillance
Network(TM) (NFSN), a network of physician sites across the country that use
ZstatFlu to track influenza in their communities and practices. Additional
information on ZymeTx and NFSN can be obtained by accessing the web sites at
www.zymetx.com and www.FluWatch.com.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements
regarding expected future results of operations, which are subject to risks and
uncertainties. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based
upon historical information available as of the date of this release. Such
historic information may change or become invalid after the date of this
release, and by making these forward-looking statements, the Company undertakes
no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date
of this release. The Company's SEC filings contain additional discussions about
those facts, which could cause actual results to differ from management's
expectations.
CONTACT: ZymeTx, Inc.
Media Relations:
Susan Hammond, 405/271-1314
or
The Gooden Group
Brent Gooden, 405/715-3232
URL: businesswire.com
Today's News On The Net - Business Wire's full file on the Internet
with Hyperlinks to your home page.
Copyright (C) 2001 Business Wire. All rights reserved.
-0-
KEYWORD: OKLAHOMA DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BIOTECHNOLOGY
GOVERNMENT
INTERNET
MEDICAL
PHARMACEUTICAL
SOURCE:
ZymeTx,
Inc.
*** end of story *** |
