A groundbreaking international study led by HKUMed has revealed that a single oral dose of baloxavir marboxil (baloxavir) significantly reduces influenza transmission within households. Published in The New England Journal of Medicine, the research offers the first robust evidence that antiviral treatment can curb the spread of flu to close contacts, marking a potential turning point in managing seasonal and pandemic influenza.
The phase 3b trial, named CENTERSTONE, involved 1,457 influenza-positive patients and 2,681 household members across 15 countries. Participants received either baloxavir or a placebo within 48 hours of symptom onset. Key results showed:
- A 32% reduction in flu transmission to untreated household members.
- Faster viral load reduction in treated patients, with baloxavir cutting viral titers more sharply than placebo by day 3.
- No detected transmission of drug-resistant viruses to contacts, despite emerging in 7.2% of treated patients.
While the difference in symptomatic cases (5.8% vs. 7.6%) was not statistically significant, the study confirmed baloxavir’s safety, with fewer adverse events compared to placebo.
Professor Benjamin Cowling of HKUMed emphasized the dual benefit: “Baloxavir not only treats flu but also limits its spread—a game-changer for pandemic preparedness and seasonal outbreaks, especially where vaccines are unavailable.”
The findings highlight baloxavir’s role as a complementary tool to vaccination, offering a practical solution for high-risk settings. Future research may explore its broader public health impact, including use in schools or care homes.
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