Kim Possible on Nostr: The virus commonly referred to as "bird flu" has so far infected 500 different ...

The virus commonly referred to as "bird flu" has so far infected 500 different species, including 48 types of mammals.The virus has not yet adapted to efficiently infect/replicate in human hosts, but it would not take many changes to achieve. So, I think we need to pay attention. This is a very successful virus. H5N1 is the dominant type in North America and around much of the world, but we also see H5N2 in Mexico, H7N8 emerging in Australia, and H9N2 in India.

Prescription antivirals like Tamiflu seem to be effective, if administered early in the course of illness. There are four antivirals currently approved by the FDA. There are three vaccines that protect against H5N1 specifically, and two of them include adjuvants, which boost the immune response. Two of these vaccines are grown in eggs, and one is grown in cells or eggs. None of these vaccines are currently available publicly. The US government has ordered nearly five million doses for the national stockpile, in case there is an HPAI pandemic in humans, but that number falls well short of what would be needed, and it takes months to make even that many. It may also require two shots, which makes this preparation even more daunting.

In my continuing quest to better understand more about Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and especially any recent genetic mutations, I've found a couple of scientific, yet quite accessible, articles.

Helpful generally, with specific links:
https://asm.org/Articles/2024/June/What-You-Should-Know-About-Avian-Influenza-A-H5N1

Helpful in providing a snapshot of (nonspecific) Influenza A activity in the US by state: Oregon and Illinois, I'm concerned about you. It's summer. Flu cases should be low.
https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/wastewater-surveillance/Flu-A-data.html

#HPAI #H5N1 #BirdFlu