The UK government has taken precautionary measures by ordering five million doses of an avian influenza vaccine in anticipation of potential human transmission. While the virus has primarily affected birds, recent evolution and outbreaks in animals raise concerns about its ability to jump to humans, prompting global vigilance and intensified pandemic preparedness plans.
The UK government has ordered five million doses of an avian influenza vaccine in case it starts being spread by people as experts warn that 'blind spots' remain in science's understanding of the virus. The UK Government will have a stockpile of tens of thousands of doses of a bird flu vaccine in the event of an outbreak in humans (Photo: Dado Ruvic/Reuters).
But as that anniversary approaches, scientists and governments across the globe are keeping a close eye on what some fear could cause the next pandemic: While the H5N1 strain of avian influenza has been circulating in bird populations for decades, the past two years have seen an evolution of the virus that has taken experts by surprise and has fuelled fears that it could one day spread between humans, just as covid did. a bird flu vaccine designed to protect humans against bird flu should it make the leap to people – but experts warn that the virus’ capacity to evolve and cause surprise means there are “blind spots” in the battle to prevent it becoming a pandemic. While an initial five million doses of a bird flu vaccine for humans are on order by the UK government, understands that the firm contracted to deliver the jabs, CSL Seqirus, is on standby to produce more than 100 million influenza pandemic vaccines in the UK if or when they are needed. The vaccines would be for either bird flu or another influenza virus that threatened to become a pandemic. as far apart as the Caspian Sea and the southern Atlantic for signs that bird flu was being transmitted between the animals, rather than them being individually infected by diseased birds. But the worldwide risk assessment changed dramatically when an H5N1 outbreak in dairy cattle in the US was first identified last March, causing governments and scientific organisations to step up their plans for a potential bird flu pandemi
Avian Influenza Bird Flu Pandemic Vaccine Human Transmission
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
UK Stockpiles Five Million Bird Flu Vaccines Amidst Pandemic FearsThe UK government is stockpiling bird flu vaccines as a precaution against the H5N1 virus, which has infected nearly 904 people globally and is feared to mutate to spread from human to human, potentially triggering another pandemic. Experts warn the situation is concerning.
Read more »
US orders nationwide milk testing in bid to stop spread of bird flu in cowsMore than 700 herds have been infected in 15 states, compelling the government to order testing of raw or unpasteurised milk from 16 December.
Read more »
First Severe Human Case of H5N1 Bird Flu Reported in U.S.The United States has recorded its first severe human case of H5N1 avian influenza, also known as bird flu. The infected patient, over 65 years old with underlying medical conditions, is hospitalized in critical condition. This is the 61st reported human case in the country since April, but the CDC maintains the overall public risk remains low. The patient's exposure is linked to sick and dead birds in backyard flocks, marking the first known U.S. case with this origin.
Read more »
US Bird Flu Case Shows Mutation Potentially Binding to Human CellsA recent case of H5N1 bird flu in the US has raised alarm as tests revealed a mutation allowing the virus to attach to human upper airway cells. Health officials believe the patient contracted the virus directly from birds, a trend also observed in a similar case in Canada. This mutation is significant because it could increase the potential for human-to-human transmission, which is currently rare. While the development is concerning, experts emphasize that it's unclear what combination of mutations would lead to a pandemic.
Read more »
UK Government Stockpiles Bird Flu Vaccine Amidst Fears of Human TransmissionThe UK government has ordered 5 million doses of an avian influenza vaccine as experts warn of potential human transmission risks. While the H5N1 strain has circulated in birds for decades, recent evolution has raised concerns about its pandemic potential. Scientists are monitoring for signs of interspecies transmission, and the contracted vaccine producer, CSL Seqirus, is on standby to manufacture over 100 million doses if needed.
Read more »
UK prepares five million vaccine doses in case of bird flu pandemicThe UK has secured a contract for more than five million doses of a bird flu vaccine as part of preparations for any possible influenza pandemic.
Read more »