Pandemic Preparedness by Developing Vaccines Against Avian Influenza Viruses
Author: Taylor and Francisco Group
Published: 2024/05/29
Post type: Informative – Peer Reviewed: Yeah
Content: Summary – Introduction – Major – Related
Synopsis: A broad range of vaccine platforms is crucial to improving human pandemic preparedness following the discovery of a second case of avian influenza being transmitted from cows to humans. The review conducted suggests that inactivated vaccines are a safe and affordable option that primarily activates humoral immunity, the part of our immune system that produces antibodies. The results of new research, carried out by a team at the University of Georgia, USA, suggest that vaccines remain our “main defense” against the possible spread of bird flu such as H5N1 and others evaluated.
Introduction
Vaccination remains the most effective strategy for the prevention and control of avian influenza in humans, despite different vaccine efficacy between strains. This is according to the authors of a new review that delves into existing research on bird flu vaccines for humans.
Main summary
Published in the peer-reviewed journal. Human vaccines and immunotherapiesThe paper’s findings are particularly timely following news last week (Wednesday, May 22, 2024) that the H5N1 avian flu strain had once again crossed over, for the second time, from livestock in the United States to humans, which raised fears of subsequent human infection. infection between humans, with possible critical consequences.
In March, cases of bird flu in American cattle were recognized for the first time. Since then, this strain has spread primarily from cow to cow and scientists have discovered very high levels of virus in raw milk (pasteurized milk is safe, as it has shown viral RNA but no infectious virus). However, to date two people are known to have contracted the bird flu virus. Both patients, American farmers, reported only ocular symptoms and with treatment made a full recovery.
Following testing in the first human case, it was seen that the strain had mutated to better adapt to mammalian cells, but as long as that human did not transmit it to another person, it would probably stop the spread at that point. With the second case, the CDC issued a statement to say it has been closely monitoring flu surveillance systems, especially in affected states.
“There have been no signs of unusual influenza activity in people, even in syndromic surveillance,” they report.
The concern now, however, is that if H5N1 continues to be given an environment in which it can mutate (such as in closed livestock farms) – and this continues for long enough – it will have the potential to find a combination that will spread easily to humans. .
The results of this new research, carried out by a team from the University of Georgia, USA, suggest that vaccines continue to be our “main defense” against the possible spread of bird flu such as H5N1 and others evaluated.
“The H5N1, H7N9 and H9N2 avian influenza virus subtypes pose a dual threat: not only do they cause significant economic losses to the global poultry industry, but they also present a pressing public health concern due to documented contagion events and cases. humans,” explains the lead author. Flavio Cargnin Faccin, who together with his mentor Dr. Daniel Pérez from the University of Georgia, USA, analyzed the current panorama of human vaccine research against these avian flus.
“This deeper dive into the landscape of human avian influenza vaccines shows that vaccination remains the primary defense against the spread of these viruses.”
The team examined studies of vaccines tested in mice, ferrets, non-human primates, and clinical trials of avian influenza vaccines in humans, evaluating both established platforms and promising new directions.
The review conducted suggests that inactivated vaccines are a safe and affordable option that primarily activates humoral immunity, the part of our immune system that produces antibodies.
Live attenuated influenza vaccines (LAIV) are known to induce a broader immune response than inactivated vaccines, activating not only antibody production but also mucosal and cellular defenses. In this review, the authors suggest that this broader response may offer greater protection, although they suggest that more research is needed to fully understand and harness its potential benefits for human and agricultural applications.
The review also looked at alternatives, such as virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines and messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, which have emerged more recently. Although human clinical trial data for bird flu VLP vaccines are limited, results from studies in mice and ferrets were promising, the authors found. mRNA vaccines against the H5N1 and H7N9 bird flu subtypes also generated a rapid and strong immune response in mice and ferrets, and although data in humans are scarce, results from a phase 1 study of an H7N9 mRNA vaccine in healthy humans were “encouraging.”
Overall, the team suggests “explore and employ a wide range of vaccine platforms”be “crucial to improving pandemic preparedness and mitigating the threat of avian influenza viruses”.
Attribution/Source(s):
This peer-reviewed publication titled A diverse range of vaccines is crucial for avian flu pandemic preparedness was selected for publication by the editors of Disabled World due to its relevance to the disability community. While content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity, it was originally written by Taylor and Francisco Group and published on 05/29/2024. For more details or clarifications, you can contact Taylor and Francisco Group directly at taylorandfrancis.com Disabled World makes no warranty or endorsement related to this item.
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Cite this page (APA): Taylor and Francis Group. (2024, May 29). A diverse range of vaccines is crucial for avian flu pandemic preparedness. Disabled world. Retrieved May 30, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/health/influenza/birdflu/preparedness.php
Permanent link: Diverse range of vaccines crucial for avian flu pandemic preparedness: Diverse range of vaccine platforms crucial to improving human pandemic preparedness following the discovery of a second case of bird flu transmitting from cows to humans.
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