2024-03-02 15:09:58
Various animal species around the world are infected with bird flu. The virus could also be dangerous for humans. That’s why vaccines are already being prepared.
While the world is still recovering from the latest global health crisis – the coronavirus pandemic – researchers are watching another virus with concern: influenza A(H5N1). In the past two years it has caused huge outbreaks of bird flu.
Bird flu threatens animals worldwide – and soon people too?
The pathogen primarily affects birds, but has also been found in various mammals. In South America, thousands of seals and sea lions have already fallen victim to the virus. About a month ago, two cases were also recorded among gentoo penguins on the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic. Now the bird flu virus has reached the Antarctic mainland for the first time and is affecting entire penguin colonies there.
According to experts, there is a risk that this virus subtype could adapt to humans and cause a new pandemic. Preparations have now been made for this eventuality.
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Bird flu is a viral disease that mainly affects birds, but can also pass to humans. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), over 2,600 human illnesses and 1,100 deaths have been detected worldwide since 2003. Although these numbers seem low, they could rise dramatically if the virus continues to spread.
Two bird flu vaccines for humans get the green light
The European Medicines Agency Ema has recommended two bird flu vaccines for approval that are intended to protect against influenza A(H5N1). The active ingredients called Celldemic and Incellipan both come from the pharmaceutical company Seqirus. While Celldemic is to be used in the future if a possible pandemic is expected, Incellipan is only to be approved “conditionally” and will only be approved and used in an accelerated manner after a pandemic has been officially declared with the appropriate antigen.
Both vaccines are adjuvanted protein vaccines, meaning they contain an adjuvant that stimulates the immune system to respond more strongly to the vaccine. This increases their effectiveness and improves protection against the virus. According to Ema, the vaccine leads to a robust immune response three weeks after two doses have been administered.
If the two vaccines are actually approved by the EU Commission, it would not be the first time that pandemic vaccines against bird flu have been approved. When they could actually be used remains an open question. According to RKI recommendations, vaccination against the influenza virus A(H5N1) is currently not part of the prevention measures for people at risk.
This is how bird flu manifests itself in humans
The first symptoms appear about two to five days after infection. The main symptoms of the disease include:
- high fever,
- Cough,
- difficulty breathing,
- Sore throat and sometimes
- Diarrhea and vomiting.
As the infection progresses, pneumonia often develops, which if left untreated can lead to lung failure and death. However, typical symptoms of normal flu (influenza) such as a runny nose, sore throat, headache and body aches do not occur regularly.