An outbreak of H5N1 bird flu among cattle—the first known time the virus has entered these mammals as hosts—is raising questions about whether this influenza virus could spread further. CEPI has pulled together a cross-departmental group of its experts–including epidemiologists, vaccine R&D specialists, regulatory, preclinical and clinical testing, and manufacturing experts–to monitor the outbreak and initiate pre-emptive steps that could put the world ahead of H5N1 if it were to pose a greater human threat. As a ‘no-regrets’ organisation, “CEPI’s approach for the moment is one of calm urgency,” says Nicole Lurie, CEPI’s Executive Director for Preparedness and Response. “It’s much better to be ahead of the curve than behind it, so you have a greater chance of containing an outbreak. We think of preparation actions a bit like putting our shoes on in case we need to start running.”
I would like to see some ornithologists involved with this (with disease background) to see if they can randomly capture, test, and release wild birds in areas where it is detected (25 mile radius) or beyond. We really need to get a handle on this, especially with an exposure pathway assessment.
This is a valuable addition to our efforts to monitor and manage this issue.
Good and welcome initiative.
Simmer down or you are going to miss the con. https://merylnass.substack.com/p/bird-flu-pink-eye-and-a-cold-for?publication_id=746368&utm_campaign=email-post-title&r=1p29no&utm_medium=email
Shows CEPI’s long term value. This is worth keeping an eye on.
Epidemiologist | Infectious Disease | Systems Thinker
3wI applaud this effort! I also hope that we can get ahead of the curve in understanding what's going on with humans. Although it is widely stated that there is no known human to human transmission, we have very little date to support this notion. In the US, we have officially tested fewer than 50 symptomatic people with known exposure to sick cattle. Both viral testing and serosurveys should be ramped up now in regions with affected cattle--and in regions where there are no cattle BUT H5 is being detected in the wastewater, eg, the San Francisco Bay area.