Scientists Urge Action on Rising H5N1 Bird Flu Threat

The scientific community across the world has called for governments to pay attention to the increasing threat of a new pandemic in the face of H5N1 avian flu or bird flu.

The appeal was made by the Global Virus Network (GVN), which includes human and animal virologists from over 80 centres of excellence and affiliates in more than 40 countries. They urged countries to improve surveillance, implement biosecurity measures and prepare for potential human-to-human transmission.

The scientists published a detailed analysis on the call to action in The Lancet Regional Health — Americas regarding the H5N1 outbreak.

“Understanding the current landscape of H5N1 infections is critical for effective prevention and response,” said Sten Vermund, chief medical officer of the GVN and dean of the USF Health College of Public Health at the University of South Florida, USA, in a statement.

He added that the virus’s ability to infect both animals and humans, combined with recent genetic changes, underscores the importance of proactive surveillance and rapid response measures.

The outbreak has impacted over 1,000 cows and herds and infected more than 70 humans via poultry and cattle.

The scientists said that the virus is now present across all 50 US states and Canada, which has resulted in the culling of over 168 million poultry in the US since 2022.

Experts have repeatedly warned, through multiple studies, about virus mutations and reassortment — a combination of two flu viruses — that could increase the possibility of transmission and lead to human-to-human spread.

“Given the growing circulation of H5N1 among mammals, the GVN calls for urgent efforts to understand and interrupt transmission in cattle through herd management and potential vaccination,” said Ab Osterhaus, DVM, PhD, center of excellence director at the GVN and founding director of the Center of Infection Medicine and Zoonosis Research at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany.

The virologists emphasised the need for continuous monitoring of animals, including testing milk and wastewater, as well as screening individuals working with infected animals to detect virus evolution and any potential for human-to-human transmissibility.

They also recommended the sharing of genomic data to track virus evolution and spatial transmission among global research networks.

The researchers advocated for self-administered diagnostic tests for farm workers, complemented by healthcare workers, for early detection.

Other calls to action included strengthening public infrastructure, investing in rapid vaccine development, releasing vaccines for humans and animals, and enhancing international collaboration to track data, share research, and prepare for increasing viral threats.

“Strengthening surveillance at animal-human interfaces is crucial, as current monitoring efforts are insufficient to guide effective prevention strategies,” Osterhaus said.

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