Heather McGuire Doyle’s Post

The recent emergence of H5N1 bird flu in various mammals has sparked global concerns. In a worrying development, house mice in New Mexico were found to be infected, raising the possibility of the virus spreading more easily to humans. Experts fear that these common rodents, which live in close proximity to human dwellings, could increase transmission. Additionally, the unknown origin of the infection in the mice highlights the potential risks associated with unpasteurized dairy products. #H5N1 #BirdFlu #PublicHealth Taking a proactive approach, Finland has become the first country to offer vaccinations to high-risk groups like poultry farmers and veterinarians. This aims to protect those most likely to come into contact with the virus. The chosen vaccine targets a similar strain and is thought to offer some protection against H5N1. However, experts caution that broader efforts to control animal-to-animal transmission and improved use of protective gear on farms remain crucial. #Vaccination #Prevention #Finland While Finland's initiative is a positive step, scientists emphasize the need for vigilance. The limited data on the vaccine's effectiveness in humans and the potential role of mink farms in facilitating mutations in the virus underscore the importance of continued research and a multi-pronged approach to prevent a potential human pandemic. #StayInformed #Research #PandemicPreparedness

🌟 Patient Zero: The first person to succumb to avian influenza, or “bird flu,” was a 59-year-old man in Mexico (WHO). His underlying medical conditions left him bedridden for three weeks before illness struck. On April 17, he developed a fever, shortness of breath, diarrhea, and nausea. Hospitalized on April 24, he tragically passed away the same day. A real-time PCR test initially revealed non-subtypeable influenza, but later confirmed it as H5N2, the notorious “bird flu.” 🔍 What’s New? Recent human cases of “bird flu” have been mild, linked to close contact with infected poultry or dairy cows. But this fatal Mexican case had no such contact. 🚫🐔🐄 🌊 Hidden Cases Beneath the Surface Epidemiology teaches us that visible cases are just the tip of the iceberg. Could more human infections be circulating silently in our communities? Absolutely! 🌊 ❄️ Implications for the Next Flu Season Buckle up for a harsh winter. “Bird flu” is poised to spread rapidly. But fear not! We’ve got a 3-4 month head start to produce effective (fingers crossed!) flu vaccines. 💉❄️ 🔬 Monitoring the Unseen Enter wastewater monitoring—a superhero tool deployed by public health agencies. Molecular tests on sewage or wastewater reveal virus activity across entire cities. Turns out, it’s pretty darn accurate! 🧪🚽 Stay vigilant, my friends! 🦠🌏 #Healthcare #publichealth

 #Influenzavirus H5N1: Next pandemic outbreak??   Today American media are reporting 71 persons under monitoring for H5N1. I wrote a few days that USA Govt has learned from SARS CoV-2 pandemic outbreak nothing and now they are going to do the same mistakes and telling us same old PR stories as they are going to use the similarly type of solutions of questionable stock listed companies. This outbreak can have a big impact on election and its outcome.  Mr. #Trump as next president will be welcomed through the next H5N1 virus outbreak, which will not be any fun like SARS CoV-2 outbreak. Next president may need 4 years or more to bring this pandemic outbreak under control, if this happens. Again, they are talking about questionable vaccines, but they must show any effective vaccine in human beings as well as animals because regions like matrix, hemagglutinin or neuraminidase of this virus do not provide the perfect immunity. My suggestion is that one must use boosting of immune system and preventive measurements to reduce the virus load in the population along providing the immune system a chance to get immunized against the natural H5N1 strain. This is very difficult task! The food security is going to be another VERY big challenge! Genekampowermolecule has both properties to be used as therapeutic as well as prevention molecule without any side effects, hence it can help to reduce the infection in a population. Genekam has very effective molecular tests for detection of H5N1. These can provide the time needed to develop the effective prevention and therapeutic options. Genekam has a number of therapeutic solutions against H5N1 e.g. real human antibodies and many small molecules.   #Washington #CNBC #ARD #ZDF #Texas #BBC #Foxnews https://lnkd.in/e2avKMdY

The ongoing spread of avian flu among animals has increased the urgency of developing products that could prevent infection in the event of an H5N1 pandemic. We’re excited to announce our publication of a new study in Nature Portfolio Scientific Reports showing that the CR9114 antibody can protect intranasally at low dosages against H5N1 in vivo.   The study found that CR9114, delivered intranasally, fully protected against H5N1 infection in vivo. By contrast, vaccination with the seasonal quadrivalent influenza vaccine with H1, H3, B/Yam and B/Vic antigen, did not cross-protect mice from H5N1 challenge. Furthermore, CR9114 neutralized 10 different strains of H5 influenza in vitro, further confirming its breadth of potential protection.    Broad protection is critical amid pandemic situations, when there’s no way to know in advance which strain will predominate. CR9114 uniquely targets a highly conserved epitope of flu viruses allowing this broadly protective quality. At Leyden Labs, we remain focused on the discovery, optimization, and development of antibodies that can deliver broad and immediate protection to combat respiratory viral threats. Read the full publication here: https://bit.ly/48laZdF   #biotechnology #avianflu #birdflu #H5N1 #influenza #flu

Bravo #CEPI.  However that does not change our team’s posture.  We socialized the critical warning indicators in April.  Should the unlikely/unpredictable happen, we will be on our own at least for the first wave of contact, which means #infectionprevention and hospital #emergencymanagement will need to be prepared. TTX recommended. #H5N1 

Global preparations underway for potential human transmission of avian flu Countries are preparing for potential human transmission of the avian flu by stockpiling vaccines, developing mRNA-based vaccines, and considering immunizing high-risk workers and cattle. Surveillance strategies are also increasing, as countries develop tests specific for cattle blood and milk, while also monitoring the virus' genome for mutations that could increase its infectivity in humans. https://lnkd.in/gkQ7sNhv

Federal regulations for the handling of certain samples of highly pathogenic avian influenza (e.g. H5N1) have been temporarily modified for 180 days. The exemption, which went into effect on May 3, will allow testing laboratories for more time to destroy these samples (from 7 to 30 days) after they are confirmed to be HPAI. H5N1 influenza is a select agent per Code of Federal Regulations. This exemption will also permit to ship diagnostic specimens (non-confirmed) to labs designated by the Federal Government to perform confirmatory testing. The exemption also relaxes the paperwork needed to ship HPAI samples after they have been found to be positive for the virus. The exemption will also cover wastewater samples in which H5N1 is being monitored. #influenza #avianinfluenza #HPAI #birdflu #H5N1 #health #globalhealth #publichealth #medicine #CDC #USDA #APHIS

SARS-CoV-2 and its resulting disease, COVID-19, have not gone away. Wastewater tracking shows levels in Canada are now at 10-15% of peak levels during the height of the pandemic. That still represents a significant incidence of disease across the country. Meantime, experts, including many at CoVaRR-Net, are aiding analyses that help track a subtype of bird flu (H5N1), also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Details: https://ow.ly/VyzJ50SnBsG

The opinion that we are underprepared for an avian flu pandemic is reflected in 2 New York Times articles published this week (links in comments): *It’s unclear if we have the right tools to fight a human H5 pandemic. It is uncertain if the (limited) stockpile of influenza antivirals will be effective against the actual pandemic strain. Vaccine development efforts have started, but finalizing a vaccine, and manufacturing and distributing sufficient quantities will still present challenges. *Cats are getting sick from H5N1 after drinking raw (unpasteurized) milk of infected cows or preying on infected birds, with a 67% mortality rate among felines – reiterating that dairy products pose a threat if not properly treated to mitigate risk. While part of the influenza pandemic preparedness strategy can be to do more of what we already know (i.e., vaccines and antivirals), it should be complemented by innovation. The prophylactic intranasal spray we have in development to protect against influenza may enable public health to add something new to the toolbox of preparedness. #influenza #pandemicpreparedness #avianflu