Bird flu, primarily affecting birds, has caused over 860 human infections since the 1990s with a high fatality rate. While human-to-human transmission hasn't occurred, the virus is spreading to new mammal species, raising fears about its potential to adapt further. The World Health Organization is already developing pre-pandemic vaccines. Experts stress the importance of vigilance, safety measures, and ongoing surveillance to mitigate the risks.
Since the 1990s, bird flu has caused over 860 human infections worldwide, with a fatality rate of more than 50 percent in those cases. / Photo: Reuters
The World Health Organization has already begun pre-pandemic vaccine development, selecting candidate H5N1 variants that closely match the viruses detected in the US and South America. Vaccine development is already underway for pre-pandemic preparedness, but how concerned should the public be, and what steps can be taken to mitigate the risks?) outbreaks in animals pose risks to humans too - countries should work together and across sectors of society, to protect people and save as many animals as possible
“The risk has increased as we’ve gone on—especially in the last couple of months, with the report of severe infections,”Dr Peiris explains that the virus has undergone adaptive mutations in both marine mammals and US dairy cows, but these changes have not yet allowed it to spread between humans.
BIRD FLU PANDEMIC H5N1 VIRUS VACCINE PREPAREDNESS
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