Bird Flu Spreads Across US—Global Virologists Urge Pandemic Readiness 

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United States: The warning bell sounds from more than 40 experts of virology worldwide about the rising danger of H5N1 avian flu, which attacks humans with symptoms including coughing along with body pain, fatigue, and pneumonia that demands accelerated action from global leaders using COVID-19 pandemic insights. 

What do the experts have to say? 

According to scientists’ comments in Global Virus Network (GVN), published this week in The Lancet Regional Health–Americas, “In the US, sporadic human infections with no known contact with infected animals highlight the possibility of viral adaptation for efficient human-to-human transmission.” 

“Concurrently, the virus continues to circulate in wild birds, backyard flocks, and hunted migratory species, further amplifying the risk to humans and domestic animals,” they added, as fortune.com reported. 

The research experts require leadership action to accomplish better pathogen monitoring and stronger biosecurity measures and human-to-human virus preparedness strategies. 

The authors identify H5N1 as a serious threat because more than 995 dairy cow herds and at least 70 people have contracted it, and there have been multiple severe cases and one confirmed US fatality. 

“Understanding the current landscape of H5N1 infections is critical for effective prevention and response,” as Dr. Sten H. Vermund, chief medical officer of the GVN and dean of the USF Health College of Public Health at the University of South Florida, stated. 

“The virus’s ability to infect both animals and humans, combined with recent genetic changes, underscores the importance of proactive surveillance and rapid response measures,” Vermund added. 

According to the virologists, the highly pathogenic influenza virus spreads throughout all 50 states and Canada, with the consequence being the destruction or forced killing of over 168 million poultry animals in the United States since 2022. 

There is no evidence for human-to-human H5N1 transmission, but experts indicate that the combination of two flu viruses or mutations could boost the virus’s ability to spread between people. 

Recommendations by experts 

  1. The monitoring of animals and testing of milk and wastewater, as well as those who work with affected animals, are essential to detect dangerous virus changes toward human-to-human transmission. 
  1. The fast exchange of genomic data throughout worldwide research groups should be speeded up in order to track virus spreading and evolutionary patterns. 
  1. Personal protective equipment combined with detailed procedures for farm cleaning operations. 
  1. The response needs additional funding allocations specifically for places with high-risk potential. 
  1. Government agencies should dedicate funding toward predicting characteristics of avian flu viruses through genetic information analysis. 
  1. Scientists need to create vaccine formulations and swift vaccine administration procedures for human beings as well as animals. 
  1. The performance of medical tests should focus on emerging virus strain properties along with evaluating potential treatments and vaccine development. 

Urgent Need for Unified Global Surveillance  

Furthermore, as Elyse Stachler, GVN member and a research scientist at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, stated, “A robust nationwide monitoring system is essential to quickly detect and quarantine affected animals and implement preventive measures to curb further spread and human infections,” fortune.com reported. 

“Further, we believe it is crucial to maintain trust and stakeholder buy-in for monitoring programs, particularly from farmworkers,” the expert continued. 

According to Dr. Christian Bréchot, president emeritus of the GVN director of the USF Health Microbiomes Institute and senior associate dean for research in global affairs in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, “We are advocating for community-driven strategies to ensure the successful implementation of vaccines, if necessary.” 

“The situation with H5N1 demands heightened vigilance and collaboration across public health sectors. Early detection and robust surveillance are critical to prevent further spread,” as Bréchot noted.