Today, Global Virus Network (GVN), which represents prominent human and animal Iologists from 80+ centers of excellence and subsidiaries in 40+ countries, published a comprehensive analysis and call for action at The regional American Lancet Lancet In North America influenza virus, or H5N1, outburst. GVN calls on global governments to face the threat of H5N1 bird flu, enhancing surveillance, implementation of bio-security measures and preparation for possible human-human transmission.
“Understanding today’s landscape of H5N1 infections is critical for effective prevention and response.” Sten H. Vermund, MD, PhD, GVN chief medical officer and Dean of the USF Health College of Public Health at the University of South Florida, USA said. “The ability of the virus to infect both animals and humans, combined with recent genetic changes, emphasizes the importance of preventive surveillance and rapid reaction measures.”
The outburst has affected nearly 1000 cows of dairy cows and resulted in more than 70 human cases, including the first confirmed death in the US, the American poultry industry is at a significant risk, especially in areas with high density cultivation and where personal protectors may be. The high pathogenic influenza virus is now circulated in all 50 states and Canada, resulting in the loss or slaughter of more than 168 million poultry in the US by 2022.
“Genom surveillance is vital to monitoring the evolution of the virus and informing response strategies.” said Marion Koopmans, DVM, PhD, GVN Excellence Manager and Head of the Department of Biortics at the Erasmus Medical Center, the Netherlands. “The ongoing investment in surveillance in the human animal interface and the immediate exchange of unusual field observations and sequence data are essential for researchers worldwide to effectively monitor the dynamics of the virus.” Dr. Koopmans is a member of the US and the Netherlands National Academy of Sciences. It is particularly considered for her research on emerging infectious diseases and as a scientific adviser to policy -making managers at national and international level.
GVN Iologists emphasize the need for improved pandemic readiness, drawing on the lessons drawn from the Sars-COV-2 pandemic and previous outbreaks. They support a multifaceted approach to the readiness of a pandemic, which includes:
- Enhanced Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of animals, including the test of milk and sewage and people working with infected animals, to monitor the evolution of the virus that can lead to a human postdoctoral. GVN requires more comprehensive government tests in the US and internationally.
- Faster data sharing: accelerating the release of genomic data to monitor the evolution of the virus and spatial transmission, promoting cooperation between global research networks.
- Improved biosexiety of agricultural farms: Using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Strict Farm Cleaning Protocols to minimize exposure to humans and prevent virus spread.
- Plans for the development of tests: Supporting self-gravited diagnostic examinations for agricultural workers, supported by access to health care for first-line medical staff, to enhance early detection.
- Enhancing public health infrastructure: Increased funding and support for response mechanisms, especially in high -risk areas, for better restaurant management.
- Investments in predicting phenotype from genetic data: invest in predicting the influenza viruses of bird influenza from genetic data, as the basic characteristics are difficult to predict exclusively by genomic sequences.
- Investments in rapid development of vaccines: encouraging the development and rapid development of vaccines for humans and animals, focusing on agricultural workers.
- Plan of preparedness for the development of vaccines and therapeutic: Proposal clinical trials for the rapid assessment of the properties of emerging virus executives and potential treatments.
- Preparedness Plan for Rapid Clinical Studies: Focus on the provision of rapid clinical trials to evaluate the basic properties of new pandemic executives, the evaluation of new vaccines and treatments and modeling efforts.
- International Cooperation: Supporting a coordinated global response to data monitoring, research sharing and preparation for emerging viral threats to reduce community vulnerability and improve response strategies.
“Initiatives should focus on strengthening the bio -safety measures in agricultural environments and public training on the safe handling of poultry products and the potential dangers associated with infected animals”, “ said Peter Palese, Phd; The Director of Center for Excellence at GVN and Horace W. Goldsmith Professor of the Department of Microbiology at the ICAHN School of Medicine on Mount Sinai. Dr. Palese is a world leader in flu research and a member of the US National Academy of Sciences.
“Given the increasing circulation of H5N1 among mammals, GVN requires urgent efforts to understand and stop the cattle transmission through the management of herds and potential vaccination. “ said AB Osterhaus, DVM, PhD, Director of Excellence Center at GVN and founding director of the Center for Medical infection and Zoo at the University of German Veterinary Medicine. “Strengthening monitoring in animal-human interfaces is vital, as current attempts are insufficient to guide effective prevention strategies.” Dr. Osterhaus is considered internationally for his work in animal, Sars, Mers and H5N1. He is a co -founder of the World Health Community and a Dutch and German Member of the National Academy of Sciences.
While some H5N1 surveillance took place, GVN underlines the lack of integrated tests and monitoring to evaluate virus spread and public health risks.
A powerful monitoring system at national level is necessary to quickly detect and implement preventive measures to reduce further spread and human infections. In addition, we believe that it is vital to maintain the confidence and purchase of interested parties for monitoring programs, especially by farmers. ”
Elyse Stachler, PhD, GVN member and researcher, Broad Institute of MIT
“We support community -based strategies to ensure successful implementation of vaccines, if necessary,” This Christian Bréchot, MD, PhD, Vice President of the Board of Directors and Emeritus President of GVN and director of the Microbiomes Institute and Senior Dean for Research in Global Affairs in the USF Health Morsan College of Medicine, USA. “The situation with H5N1 requires increased vigilance and cooperation in all areas of public health.
