Diseases - Infectiologist: Avian flu vaccine would be feasible quickly
In the event of a bird flu pandemic, human vaccines, according to Berlin infectious disease specialist Professor Leif Erik Sander, could be made available rapidly. "We have vaccines that are approved and can be quickly adapted to a virus that triggers a pandemic," Sander stated during an online press conference. However, production capacity would need to be increased.
Sander speaks of influenza vaccines that need to be adapted to the subvariant of the bird flu virus. The H5N1 bird flu virus is an influenza A virus like the influenza viruses that circulate among humans.
No immediate threat to people in Germany
According to the expert, there is currently no reason for concern for people in Germany. "There is no reason to actively vaccinate people at the moment," Sander said and added: "It's not about spreading fear that a pandemic is imminent. We should do everything to be prepared."
The H5N1 virus has been circulating intensely among birds for decades - initially in Asia, now almost worldwide. In the USA, dozens of cattle have recently been infected. A handful of people have been infected in the context of the outbreak in US cattle farming, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The infections are believed to have occurred through direct contact with infected cows, not from person to person. According to the Robert Koch Institute, there is currently no evidence worldwide for sustained person-to-person transmission with influenza viruses.
Concern over infection in cattle
Sander named the infection in cattle as a cause for concern because the virus can spread in a large population of animals used by humans. One of the greatest concerns is that the virus will further adapt. "If the virus spreads strongly in one species, the concern is that it can adapt to other livestock or mix with other influenza viruses. This would make it possible for it to infect more people and potentially also transmit from person to person."
Infection with severely debilitating avian influenza viruses like H5N1 in humans is rare but can progress severely. The mortality rate, according to the expert, is high. "This is due to the fact that these viruses only affect the deep recesses of the human lung and can lead to severe lung inflammation."
One of the infected people in the USA showed typical symptoms of an acute respiratory infection, such as coughing. For the other affected individuals, symptoms similar to conjunctivitis were reported. "People have likely been infected through contact transmission and not, as is usual with influenza, through the respiratory tract. This could be the reason for the relatively mild courses," Sander said.
- Professor Leif Erik Sander, a Berlin infectious disease specialist, believes that human vaccines for a bird flu pandemic could be rapidly made available.
- Sander mentioned that there are approved vaccines that can be rapidly adapted to a virus causing a pandemic.
- However, the production capacity of these vaccines would need to be increased to meet the demand in the event of a bird flu pandemic.
- The H5N1 bird flu virus, an influenza A virus, has been circulating among birds for decades, initially in Asia and now almost worldwide.
- In the USA, dozens of cattle have recently been infected with the H5N1 virus, leading to a handful of human infections in the context of the cattle farming outbreak.
- Leif Erik Sander, an infectiologist, expressed concern over the infection in cattle as the virus can spread in large animal populations used by humans.
- In humans, infection with avian influenza viruses like H5N1 is rare but can progress severely with a high mortality rate due to its effect on the deep recesses of the lung.
- In the recent US case, one infected person showed typical symptoms of an acute respiratory infection, while others had symptoms similar to conjunctivitis, indicating possible contact transmission.
