Michelle Ville, a viral ecologist at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity in Melbourne, Australia, emphasizes the severity of the current avian influenza pandemic affecting wildlife and farmed poultry.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is the new variant causing concern as it spreads globally, affecting not only birds but also at least 50 mammal species. Previous outbreaks had a smaller impact on mammalian species.
The spread of H5N1, the current variant of avian influenza, has led to mass bird deaths worldwide, including wild birds in Antarctica, Polar bears in Alaska, and even marine mammals in Argentina.
The risk of extinction for some species is high due to the significant impact of infectious diseases like avian influenza. This highlights the urgency for vigilance and preventive measures to protect vulnerable populations from the virus.
While the virus poses a threat to various animals, including domesticated ones like cows and cats, proper handling and preparation of poultry products can reduce the risk of infection. Cooking meat and eggs thoroughly and maintaining good hygiene practices are essential to prevent transmission of avian influenza.
The development of vaccines against H5N1 is ongoing, with several companies working on FDA-approved solutions to combat the disease. However, challenges in vaccine production could arise due to the reliance on chicken eggs for virus propagation.
So far, human infections from avian influenza have been limited, mostly affecting individuals who work closely with infected animals. Monitoring programs and preventive measures are in place to contain the spread of the virus and protect public health.
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As of now, there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission of H5N1, and the majority of cases are linked to direct contact with infected animals.
Source: www.snexplores.org
