Top scientist at WHO raises concerns about bird flu and the necessity for developing a vaccine.
This week, the World Health Organization’s leading scientist expressed significant worry about the recent bird flu outbreak, highlighting its potential threat to public health. They noted that vaccine progress against the virus is not sufficient. The strain, Type A H5N1, typically found in birds, has now spread to mammals, including cows, cats, and even a few individuals in the U.S. This transmission from mammal to mammal is a concerning new development. Dr. Jeremy Farrar, WHO’s chief scientist, emphasized the high mortality rate associated with bird flu, with hundreds of cases resulting in fatalities.
The recent bird flu outbreak involving dairy cows and workers is an ongoing and evolving situation. U.S. health officials have stated that they are prepared to increase vaccine production if the threat of bird flu escalates. Despite the concern, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reassures the public that the current risk to public health is minimal.
Lawrence Gostin, a professor of public health law at Georgetown University and a prominent figure in global health, advised against panic, stating, “It’s too early to press the panic button,” in an interview with USA TODAY.
The potential scenario described by experts, where the bird flu virus undergoes genetic changes enabling human-to-human transmission, is indeed a concerning prospect. Lawrence Gostin, an expert in public health law, emphasized the severity of such an event, highlighting that the infectiousness and lethality of the bird flu could surpass that of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although there haven’t been documented cases of human-to-human transmission yet, Dr. Jeremy Farrar of the WHO expressed apprehension about recent incidents in the U.S., where bird flu has been detected in cattle and a dairy worker in several states. He pointed out that the virus is now spreading among various animal species, raising the specter of a pandemic among animals, which could eventually pose a threat to humans.
The evolving nature of the virus underscores the urgency for vaccine development. However, Farrar noted that current progress in vaccine development is not adequate. Moreover, there’s a lack of capability among public health officials to promptly diagnose H5N1 cases.
In response to these concerns, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response highlighted the readiness of its National Pre-Pandemic Influenza Vaccine Stockpile (NPIVS) program. This program collaborates closely with industry partners to produce and test updated vaccines tailored to new strains of influenza viruses, including those with pandemic potential. The statement also emphasizes the support for manufacturing capacity to enable large-scale vaccine production if necessary.
Overall, the situation underscores the importance of preparedness and collaboration among health authorities, researchers, and industry partners to mitigate the risks posed by the evolving bird flu virus and to ensure the timely development and deployment of effective vaccines.