Bird flu: Millions of animals affected – people at risk?

Bird flu: Millions of animals affected – people at risk?

In recent weeks, bird flu has once again caused concern in Germany. As the NDR reported that the number of cases is constantly rising, especially in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, where over 170,000 animals, including chickens, ducks and geese, have now had to be culled. This comes in the context of ongoing crane die-offs due to the spread of the virus.

Wild birds are the main propagators. The virus is introduced mainly through their excretions, which makes the situation very risky for poultry farmers and agricultural businesses. Prof. Martin Beer, head of the Institute for Viral Diagnostics at the Friedrich Loeffler Institute, points out that the bird flu viruses are zoonotic and can theoretically pass to humans, even if the risk is considered low.

Domestic and wild animals in focus

Particular concern arises when bird flu viruses mix with human flu viruses. For people who work in animal husbandry, experts recommend a flu vaccination to minimize the risk of such virus mixing. So far, however, secondary outbreaks in poultry farms can be classified as rare.

The H5N1 virus was detected in a poultry farm in Heinrichswalde, Western Pomerania-Greifswald, resulting in 150,000 laying hens having to be killed in the region. The Friedrich Loeffler Institute rates the risk of further outbreaks in both wild birds and poultry farming as “high”.

Research and vaccination strategies

With regard to protection against bird flu, research and vaccination strategies are of great importance. Researchers in the US are currently studying existing vaccines to see whether they are sufficient against the 2.3.4.4b variant of bird flu. A team led by David Hawman and Heinz Feldmann has developed two vaccine versions that are being tested on cynomolgus monkeys. Initial results show that the vaccinated animals survived infection with the H5N1 2.3.4.4b virus, while the unvaccinated ones suffered severe illness and had to be euthanized, according to the MDR reported.

Another team from Harvard Medical School is working on vaccines based on technologies that have proven themselves during the corona pandemic. These vaccines, administered in the form of mRNA and adeno-vector virus, demonstrated significant success in animal studies by significantly reducing the likelihood of death and inducing strong immune responses in the respiratory tract.

Research on the H5N1 virus is well advanced, but it remains to be seen how these findings will affect pandemic preparedness in an emergency. Despite the worrying development, the risk for people is still considered to be low - at least as long as there is no direct contact with high levels of the virus.

During this difficult time, it remains important to monitor both animal husbandry and health measures and adapt them if necessary so that the virus does not spread further. Stay informed and healthy!