Military

DATE=03/20/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=TERROR/SMALLPOX PILL (L)

NUMBER=2-287779

BYLINE=CHRISTINE ELLIOTT

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

INTERNET=YES

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: U-S scientists have taken a huge step in making smallpox less of a terrorist threat to America. As V-O-A's Christine Elliott reports, researchers have developed a smallpox treatment that is 100 times more potent than existing remedies.

TEXT: Karl Hostetler, who is a lead researcher in developing the new oral drug, says the pill kills the smallpox virus in lab-grown human cells and in mice inflicted with another form of pox disease.

///HOSTETLER ACT///

Before this, there was no highly potent oral drug. Five relatively small oral doses given once daily for five days completely prevents illness and death from pox virus infection.

/// END ACT ///

The drug, /// OPT /// H-D-P-cidofovir (Sigh-DOFF-uh-veer), /// END OPT /// is the pill form of its parent drug that is taken intravenously (through the veins). Doctor Hostetler says the pill is more powerful because cells absorb it more quickly. And in the event of a smallpox outbreak, it would be much easier to give to patients.

Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Anthony Fauci (FOW, rhymes with WOW,-chee), says having this oral drug is an important defense because smallpox disfigures its victims.

/// FAUCI ACT ///

The idea of being able to treat someone for a disease that would otherwise be 30 percent fatal, not to mention the disfiguring aspect of the scars, would be an important advance.

/// END ACT ///

Smallpox is a highly infectious virus that causes multiple blisters to form on the skin and can eventually lead to death in about a month's time if not treated.

Although the world eradicated smallpox in 1977, the U-S government fears terrorists stashed away vials of the virus for future biological warfare. /// OPT /// Millions of Americans under the age of 25 have never been vaccinated.

Although the government is also increasing the stock of the vaccine, some people have terrible reactions to it, and a second line of defense is needed. /// END OPT ///

Doctor Hostetler says although the research is exciting, there is still a lot of work to do.

///HOSTETLER ACT///

Other models of pox virus infection need to be tested, the drug's safety needs to be established before we can begin to consider even giving it to normal human volunteers.

///END ACT///

Anthony Fauci says it could be more than a year before the drug is approved for use. But it is one more weapon scientists and the government will have to fight a smallpox terrorist attack. (SIGNED)

NEB/CE/SAB