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Business News/ News / Experts warn of rapidly spreading avian virus, risk of next human pandemic
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Experts warn of rapidly spreading avian virus, risk of next human pandemic

Experts urge countries to prioritize the vaccination of their poultry populations to curb the spread of avian influenza. The virus has rapidly evolved and become more infectious, resulting in year-round outbreaks and spreading to new areas.

Experts warn of rapidly spreading avian virus, poultry vaccination neededPremium
Experts warn of rapidly spreading avian virus, poultry vaccination needed

Experts have issued warnings about the rapidly changing nature of the virus causing record cases of avian influenza in birds worldwide. They are calling for countries to prioritize the vaccination of their poultry populations to curb the spread of the virus. While the risk to humans remains relatively low, the increasing number of bird flu cases in mammals has raised concerns among experts.

The H5N1 avian influenza virus, since first emerging in 1996, was previously associated with seasonal outbreaks, and has undergone a significant transformation since mid-2021. According to Richard Webby, the head of the World Health Organization, the group of viruses has become considerably more infectious, resulting in year-round outbreaks and spreading to new areas. This alarming development has led to mass deaths among wild birds and the culling of tens of millions of poultry.

Webby, who is a researcher at St Jude Children's Research Hospital in the US city of Memphis, describes this as the largest outbreak of avian influenza the world has witnessed. Recent research published in the journal Nature Communications confirms that the virus rapidly evolved as it spread from Europe to North America.

The study reveals that the virus increased in virulence upon its arrival in North America, causing more severe disease. In an experiment involving a ferret, researchers found a substantial amount of the virus in its brain, indicating a higher level of disease severity compared to previous strains.

While the risk to humans is currently low, Webby warns that the virus is not static and continues to change. There is a potential for the virus to acquire genetic traits that make it more transmissible to humans, although this has not yet occurred on a large scale.

In rare cases, humans have contracted the avian influenza virus, primarily through close contact with infected birds. However, there has been a concerning increase in the number of mammals being infected, a trend that experts find troubling. For instance, Chile reported nearly 9,000 sea lions, penguins, otters, porpoises, and dolphins dying from bird flu along its north coast this year.

Webby highlights the worrisome indications from a Spanish mink farm and sea lions off the South American coast, suggesting that the virus may be transmitted between mammals.

Ian Brown, the head of virology at the UK's Animal and Plant Health Agency, acknowledges that the virus is becoming more efficient and effective in birds but emphasizes that it remains unadapted to humans. Avian viruses bind to different receptors on host cells than human viruses, making it challenging for the virus to infect humans. However, slight genetic changes in the virus could potentially lead to adaptation for human transmission.

To mitigate the risk to humans and reduce the number of bird flu cases, experts recommend widespread poultry vaccination. Some countries, including China, Egypt, and Vietnam, have already launched successful poultry vaccination campaigns. However, concerns about import restrictions and the possibility of vaccinated birds getting infected still hinder the implementation of vaccination programs in other countries.

Experts emphasize that while poultry vaccination is not a foolproof solution due to the virus's ever-changing nature, countries that have been reluctant to adopt vaccination strategies should reconsider. The global community recognizes the looming threat of a pandemic and the need to take proactive measures to prevent its outbreak.

Monique Eloit, the director general of the World Organisation for Animal Health, stresses the importance of discussing poultry vaccination as a viable option. With the understanding that pandemics are not mere fantasies but potential realities, countries must prioritize protective measures to safeguard both animal and human health.

(With inputs from AFP)

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Published: 04 Jun 2023, 02:40 PM IST
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