This massive outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, H5N1 has led the State Health Department to respond with immediate effect. It started amongst the livestock and three humans in Michigan and Texas residing in the dairy farm being infected.
The mutation of the virus poses a major threat and concern for health experts. If it mutates to a point where it easily spreads amongst humans, a ‘potential pandemic’ threat will rule the nation.
Respiratory symptoms, observed in Michigan, alarm Health Experts
Officials have reported that the latest case of this flu in Michigan has displayed respiratory symptoms for the first time, making it highly communicable. Earlier, it was only the eye symptom that had been observed in humans.
As reported by the officials, bird flu in humans is spread through contact with the fluids of the infected animals. Fluids such as respiratory fluids, saliva, or poop feces are highly communicable. It, however, does not spread through the consumption of well-cooked dairy and meat.
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Vaccine Approved by FDA – Go Ahead awaited
Even though the FDA approved the manufacturing of the vaccines in preparation for the potential pandemic, the grant clarification is yet to be received, declaring the ‘go-ahead’ of the vaccines.
North Carolina Plant to produce the additional vaccine doses
The health experts mentioned that some 4.8 million doses of vaccines are being prepared in response to this critical situation. CSL Seqirus, the vaccine makers, announced that the North Carolina Plant will produce the additional vaccine doses, as it is equipped with ‘highly scalable methods of production’ and can deliver ‘150 million influenza vaccine doses to support an influenza pandemic response’.
According to the official reports, the bird flu doses will be constituted using two key ingredients: an “antigen” targeting the H5 of the H5N1 virus and an adjuvant designed to boost the immune response of the infected.
About Author
This Article has been written by Ms Anuja Choudhary, a public policy enthusiast and Masters in Philosophy from LSR, DU. With a keen eye for authenticity, she is currently honing her craft as a writer to pen down the voices with utmost sincerity and integrity.
