'Just in case': Vaccine makers say bird flu shots for humans can be made in months
1 year, 9 months ago

'Just in case': Vaccine makers say bird flu shots for humans can be made in months

India Today  

Some of the world's leading makers of flu vaccines say they could make hundreds of millions of bird flu shots for humans within months if a new strain of avian influenza ever jumps across the species divide. NEW APPROACHES In a pandemic, vaccine manufacturers would shift production of seasonal flu vaccines and instead make shots tailored to the new outbreak when needed. Many of the potential pandemic shots are pre-approved by regulators, based on data from human trials showing the vaccines are safe and prompt an immune response, a process already used with seasonal flu vaccines. Moderna’s mRNA vaccine research actually began with pandemic flu, and was modified for COVID, said Raffael Nachbagauer, executive director of infectious diseases at Moderna. The company plans to launch a small human trial of an mRNA pandemic flu vaccine tailored to the new avian influenza subtype in the first half of 2023, he said, adding Moderna could respond “very quickly” in an outbreak scenario.

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History of this topic

Bird flu outbreak hits Britain's turkey farms as tens of thousands are culled and rest ordered to be kept indoors days before Christmas
3 days, 21 hours ago

Bird flu outbreak hits Britain's turkey farms as tens of thousands are culled and rest ordered to be kept indoors days before Christmas

Daily Mail  

Turkey farms have been hit by an outbreak of bird flu as tens of thousands of birds have been culled and ordered to be kept indoors just before Christmas. This is the first outbreak of bird flu in captive animals since February and no humans have yet been infected with the risk of spread to people remaining very low. Avian …

Health Experts Warn of Bird Flu's Pandemic Threat
2 weeks ago

Health Experts Warn of Bird Flu's Pandemic Threat

Deccan Chronicle  

Paris: Health experts have been sounding the alarm about the potential pandemic threat posed by bird flu, which has been showing signs of mutating as it spreads among cows and infects people in the United States. The deadly bird flu variant H5N1 first emerged in China in 1996, but over the last four years it has sp More than 300 …

The flu shot is different this year, thanks to COVID
2 months, 1 week ago

The flu shot is different this year, thanks to COVID

NPR  

The flu shot is different this year, thanks to COVID toggle caption Mark J. Terrill/AP This year’s flu shot will be missing a strain of influenza it’s protected against for more than a decade. One reason COVID mitigation efforts were so effective at eliminating B/Yamagata is there was already a fair amount of immunity in the population against this strain …

Bird flu cases are going undetected, new study suggests. It’s a problem for all of us
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Bird flu cases are going undetected, new study suggests. It’s a problem for all of us

Salon  

A new study lends weight to fears that more livestock workers have gotten the bird flu than has been reported. “Largely, that’s because our surveillance has been so poor.” As bird flu cases go underreported, health officials risk being slow to notice if the virus were to become more contagious. Gray’s team detected signs of prior bird flu infections in …

US will buy flu shots for farmworkers in a bid to prevent bird flu from getting worse
4 months, 3 weeks ago

US will buy flu shots for farmworkers in a bid to prevent bird flu from getting worse

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — The U.S. will pay for flu shots for farmworkers this year, a strategy to prevent bird flu from changing into something more dangerous. But health officials are worried about what might happen if people are infected with bird flu and seasonal flu at the same time. To prevent coinfections, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on …

As human cases of bird flu grow, feds say flu vaccine could help prevent a new pandemic
4 months, 3 weeks ago

As human cases of bird flu grow, feds say flu vaccine could help prevent a new pandemic

LA Times  

A turkey farm near Manson, Iowa. Federal officials say the number of poultry workers infected with H5N1 bird flu has climbed. Although health officials say the risk of H5N1 bird flu infection is still low for the general population, they announced on Monday a $5-million plan to offer seasonal flu vaccine to livestock workers. Officials said they are launching this …

The Bird Flu Threat Keeps Growing
54 years, 11 months ago

The Bird Flu Threat Keeps Growing

Wired  

Ongoing outbreaks of avian influenza have decimated poultry flocks and wild birds across the United States and worldwide. On July 25, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed an additional three human cases, bringing the total number of US cases to 13 since April. “These cases are not entirely surprising given that these people were working with infected …

Two more bird flu cases reported in Colorado, but elsewhere a study finds no asymptomatic infections
5 months ago

Two more bird flu cases reported in Colorado, but elsewhere a study finds no asymptomatic infections

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — U.S. health officials on Friday announced two more bird flu cases among farmworkers, but they also said a new study in Michigan suggested the virus is not causing silent infections in people. Last month, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services launched a study of workers who were around cows sickened by the bird flu. It’s …

Finland is offering farmworkers bird flu shots. Some experts say the US should, too
5 months, 1 week ago

Finland is offering farmworkers bird flu shots. Some experts say the US should, too

Salon  

As bird flu spreads among dairy cattle in the U.S., veterinarians and researchers have taken note of Finland’s move to vaccinate farmworkers at risk of infection. “Farmworkers, veterinarians, and producers are handling large volumes of milk that can contain high levels of bird flu virus,” said Kay Russo, a livestock and poultry veterinarian in Fort Collins, Colorado. There’s no evidence …

US Government Awards Moderna $176 Million for mRNA Bird Flu Vaccine
54 years, 11 months ago

US Government Awards Moderna $176 Million for mRNA Bird Flu Vaccine

Wired  

The US government will pay Moderna $176 million to develop an mRNA vaccine against a pandemic influenza—an award given as the highly pathogenic bird flu virus H5N1 continues to spread widely among US dairy cattle. In its own announcement on Tuesday, Moderna noted that it began a Phase 1/2 trial of a pandemic influenza virus vaccine last year, which included …

US awards Moderna 176 mln USD for vaccine development amid bird flu outbreak
5 months, 3 weeks ago

US awards Moderna 176 mln USD for vaccine development amid bird flu outbreak

China Daily  

Test tubes are seen in front of a displayed Moderna logo in this illustration taken, May 21, 2021. LOS ANGELES - The US government on Tuesday announced a 176-million-US-dollar investment in biotech company Moderna to develop a vaccine against bird flu as concerns escalate over a multi-state outbreak in dairy cows. This initiative comes as the ongoing outbreak of influenza …

Anticipating a major bird flu crisis, the U.S. government just awarded $176 million for a vaccine
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Anticipating a major bird flu crisis, the U.S. government just awarded $176 million for a vaccine

Salon  

In the ongoing waves of bird flu outbreaks, with the virus spreading to more than 141 herds in 12 states, the risk of another full-blown pandemic like COVID-19 is becoming a distinct possibility. In preparation for just such a disaster, the U.S. government will pay pharmaceutical company Moderna $176 million to develop a vaccine that protects against the H5N1 virus. …

The US will pay Moderna $176 million to develop an mRNA pandemic flu vaccine
5 months, 3 weeks ago

The US will pay Moderna $176 million to develop an mRNA pandemic flu vaccine

Associated Press  

The U.S. government will pay the vaccine maker Moderna $176 million to accelerate development of a pandemic influenza vaccine that could be used to treat bird flu in people, as concern grows about cases in dairy cows across the country, federal officials announced Tuesday. Moderna already has a bird flu vaccine in very early-stage testing that uses the same mRNA …

Ex-CDC Director Makes Alarming Bird Flu Prediction
6 months, 1 week ago

Ex-CDC Director Makes Alarming Bird Flu Prediction

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Former CDC Director Robert Redfield suggested that a bird flu pandemic among humans is inevitable ― and would be extremely lethal. “I really do think it’s very likely that we will, at some time ― it’s not a question of if, it’s more of a question of when ― we will have a bird flu pandemic,” Redfield …

Former director of the CDC predicts the next pandemic will be from bird flu
6 months, 1 week ago

Former director of the CDC predicts the next pandemic will be from bird flu

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors …

With 100M birds dead, poultry industry could serve as example as dairy farmers confront bird flu
6 months, 2 weeks ago

With 100M birds dead, poultry industry could serve as example as dairy farmers confront bird flu

Associated Press  

DES MOINES, Iowa — As the U.S. dairy industry confronts a bird flu outbreak, with cases reported at dozens of farms and the disease spreading to people, the egg industry could serve as an example of how to slow the disease but also shows how difficult it can be to eradicate the virus. He said it appears that bird flu …

Scientists are testing mRNA vaccines to protect cows and people against bird flu
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Scientists are testing mRNA vaccines to protect cows and people against bird flu

Associated Press  

The bird flu outbreak in U.S. dairy cows is prompting development of new, next-generation mRNA vaccines — akin to COVID-19 shots — that are being tested in both animals and people. the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has been talking to manufacturers about possible mRNA flu vaccines for people that, if needed, could supplement millions of bird flu …

FDA says it's preparing for a bird flu pandemic in people that could kill one in four Americans
7 months, 2 weeks ago

FDA says it's preparing for a bird flu pandemic in people that could kill one in four Americans

Daily Mail  

The FDA is gearing up for a bird flu pandemic in people that could kill one in four of those it infects, the agency's top official has revealed. Dr Robert Califf, FDA commissioner, pictured speaking to the Senate's agriculture committee on Wednesday The above graph shows the dairy herds that have tested positive for bird flu over time. Officials fear …

Human cases of bird flu 'an enormous concern': WHO
8 months ago

Human cases of bird flu 'an enormous concern': WHO

The Hindu  

The World Health Organization voiced alarm Thursday at the growing spread of H5N1 bird flu to new species, including humans, who face an "extraordinarily high" mortality rate. "This remains I think an enormous concern," the UN health agency's chief scientist Jeremy Farrar told reporters in Geneva. But in the hundreds of cases where humans have been infected through contact with …

The bird flu outbreak isn’t over, but it’s less severe, helping egg and poultry prices recover
1 year, 1 month ago

The bird flu outbreak isn’t over, but it’s less severe, helping egg and poultry prices recover

Associated Press  

— Nearly 5 million chickens, turkeys and other birds have been slaughtered this year because of a persistent bird flu outbreak that began in 2022, but as big as that number may sound, it’s far less than the number of birds killed last year which means consumers aren’t seeing as much impact on poultry and egg prices. Egg prices peaked …

The Long Quest for a Universal Flu Vaccine Finally Takes Its First Steps
1 year, 1 month ago

The Long Quest for a Universal Flu Vaccine Finally Takes Its First Steps

Wired  

At state health departments and academic medical centers, and at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, epidemiologists are intently watching two sets of data: the number of flu cases and the number of Americans taking flu shots. But there’s one more piece of data that will let analysts know how this flu season will unroll: whether the vaccine …

South Africa culls nearly 2.5 million chickens to contain bird flu outbreaks
1 year, 2 months ago

South Africa culls nearly 2.5 million chickens to contain bird flu outbreaks

Hindustan Times  

South Africa has culled nearly 2.5 million chickens in an effort to contain dozens of outbreaks of two separate strains of avian influenza that have threatened to create a shortage of eggs for consumers and are hitting an industry already struggling due to an electricity crisis, the government said on Tuesday. Wilhelm Mare, chairman of the poultry group in the …

South Africa culls about 7.5 million chickens in an effort to contain bird flu outbreaks
1 year, 2 months ago

South Africa culls about 7.5 million chickens in an effort to contain bird flu outbreaks

Associated Press  

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — South Africa has culled about 7.5 million chickens in an effort to contain dozens of outbreaks of two separate strains of avian influenza that threaten to create a shortage of eggs and poultry for consumers, the government and national poultry association said Tuesday. The 7.5 million birds represented about 20-30% of South Africa’s total chicken …

Two-year trial of bird flu vaccines "too slow" say experts
1 year, 3 months ago

Two-year trial of bird flu vaccines "too slow" say experts

Dutch News  

Some 1,800 day-old chicks have been vaccinated against bird flu as a first step in a two-year trial to test the effectiveness of two vaccines but experts say the process could be speeded up. Over seven million chickens, ducks and turkeys have been killed in the last two years as a result of the spread of the highly contagious bird …

Bird flu might infect humans ‘more easily’, UN agencies warns: What it means
1 year, 5 months ago

Bird flu might infect humans ‘more easily’, UN agencies warns: What it means

Hindustan Times  

Amid avian flu outbreaks globally, three UN agencies warned that the virus might adapt to infect humans more easily, urging countries to strengthen disease surveillance and improve hygiene at poultry farms. This comes as a new highly contagious H5N1 strain of bird flu among wild birds spread to new geographical regions, raising fears of a pandemic among humans. “There is …

Brazil confirms first ever avian flu cases in wild birds: What this means
1 year, 7 months ago

Brazil confirms first ever avian flu cases in wild birds: What this means

Hindustan Times  

Brazil, the world's top chicken exporter, has for the first time confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza cases but only in wild birds, the Agriculture Ministry said on Monday. Two cases were detected in wild birds and should not trigger a ban on imports of Brazilian poultry products as per guidelines from the World Organization for Animal Health, according to the …

Bird flu detectives hunt for clues to stop next global pandemic
1 year, 7 months ago

Bird flu detectives hunt for clues to stop next global pandemic

Hindustan Times  

If you want to know how the world is preparing for the next global pandemic look at Rolaing, a Cambodian village located on a tributary of the Mekong River. It forms part of a much bigger global effort — combining government, industry and health officials — to be better prepared for the next pandemic, whether it is avian flu or …

First H3N8 bird flu victim may have caught virus from a WET MARKET
1 year, 8 months ago

First H3N8 bird flu victim may have caught virus from a WET MARKET

Daily Mail  

The H3N8 strain is not normally thought to spread between humans Samples later taken from the wet market tested positive for influenza A The woman first became ill on February, 22 and died on March, 16 A Chinese woman who became the first person to ever die from the H3N8 strain of bird flu may have caught the killer strain …

Bird flu could kill one in TWENTY humans who get infected, reveal worst-case scenario models
1 year, 8 months ago

Bird flu could kill one in TWENTY humans who get infected, reveal worst-case scenario models

Daily Mail  

Bird flu could kill one up to one in 20 people it infects, according to Government worst-case scenarios. UK scientists tasked with developing 'scenarios of early human transmission' of bird flu have warned that five per cent of infected people could die if the virus took off in humans. Under another scenario, the scientists assumed 1 per cent of those …

As Bird flu cases rise, will it turn into the next pandemic like Covid?
1 year, 9 months ago

As Bird flu cases rise, will it turn into the next pandemic like Covid?

India TV News  

There is currently an outbreak of a disease called avian influenza in Europe, which affects birds. The H5N1 strain of bird flu is very deadly, with a mortality rate of 50%, which means that out of 100 people who get infected, 50 may die. According to experts, there is very little chance of the new H5N1 avian flu virus spreading …

ird flu outbreak underscores need for early detection to prevent the next big pandemic
1 year, 10 months ago

ird flu outbreak underscores need for early detection to prevent the next big pandemic

The Hindu  

The current epidemic of avian influenza has killed over 58 million birds in the U.S. as of February 2023. Following on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic, large outbreaks of viruses like bird flu raise the specter of another disease jumping from animals into humans. Most spillover research today is focused on learning about and preventing viruses – including coronaviruses, …

Bird flu may now be spreading between humans, WHO fears
1 year, 10 months ago

Bird flu may now be spreading between humans, WHO fears

The Telegraph  

The World Health Organisation is “really concerned” the current bird flu outbreak may now be spreading between people for the first time in more than 25 years. The WHO has ordered a new bird flu vaccine to be made in response to the rapid spread of the strain of H5N1 avian influenza causing the current outbreak. An 11-year-old girl died …

Bird flu costs pile up as outbreak enters second year
1 year, 10 months ago

Bird flu costs pile up as outbreak enters second year

Associated Press  

— The ongoing bird flu outbreak has cost the government roughly $661 million and added to consumers’ pain at the grocery store after more than 58 million birds were slaughtered to limit the spread of the virus. The outbreak is already more widespread than the last major bird flu outbreak in 2015, but it hasn’t proven as costly yet partly …

The Bird Flu Outbreak Has Taken an Ominous Turn
1 year, 10 months ago

The Bird Flu Outbreak Has Taken an Ominous Turn

Wired  

This week, Argentina and Uruguay declared national health emergencies following outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1, the fast-moving virus that destroys poultry flocks and wild birds, and for decades has been feared as a possible spark for a pandemic among people. That makes 10 South American countries that have recently marked their first-ever encounter with the virus, including Peru—where …

Will bird flu spark the next pandemic?
1 year, 10 months ago

Will bird flu spark the next pandemic?

Al Jazeera  

A dramatic series of outbreaks is leading to concerns that a mutation could eventually hit humans and make COVID-19 seem mild. With the virus driving poultry shortages, killing droves of wild birds, and increasingly spilling over to mammals, the situation begs an overarching question: Could avian influenza evolve from an ecological disaster to a full-blown pandemic? But the fast-proliferating avian …

Bird flu outbreak in US could turn into new pandemic: Report
1 year, 10 months ago

Bird flu outbreak in US could turn into new pandemic: Report

India Today  

A deadly avian flu killed over 50 million birds in the United States in 2020. The bird flu caused by the H5N1 avian influenza virus mostly affected birds on poultry farms in the US. READ | Avian flu outbreak wipes out over 50 million US birds, a record Similarly, in October last year, a large outbreak occurred on a mink …

Latest Iowa bird flu cases push December total near 700,000
2 years ago

Latest Iowa bird flu cases push December total near 700,000

Associated Press  

— Four new cases of bird flu at Iowa turkey farms in the past few days will push the number of birds slaughtered nationwide this month to limit the spread of the virus up to nearly 700,000. The latest cases announced by the Iowa Department of Agriculture only add to the toll of this year’s ongoing outbreak that has prompted …

Bird flu prompts slaughter of 1.8M chickens in Nebraska
2 years ago

Bird flu prompts slaughter of 1.8M chickens in Nebraska

Associated Press  

— Nebraska agriculture officials say another 1.8 million chickens must be killed after bird flu was found on a farm in the latest sign that the outbreak that has already prompted the slaughter of more than 50 million birds nationwide continues to spread. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture said Saturday that the state’s 13th case of bird flu was found …

Researchers Prepare New mRNA Flu Shot that Can Target All Strains, Prevent Influenza Pandemic
2 years, 1 month ago

Researchers Prepare New mRNA Flu Shot that Can Target All Strains, Prevent Influenza Pandemic

News 18  

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania are developing a new mRNA vaccine targeting all known flu strains in a single shot and said the vaccine is showing promise in animal studies. Scott Hensley, an immunologist at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia told CBC: “Our approach was to make a vaccine that encoded every influenza subtype and lineage that we …

Turkey farmers warn of Christmas shortage due to bird flu
2 years, 1 month ago

Turkey farmers warn of Christmas shortage due to bird flu

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Britons face a “severe” shortage of turkeys this Christmas as …

It’s flu vaccine time and seniors need revved-up shots
2 years, 2 months ago

It’s flu vaccine time and seniors need revved-up shots

Associated Press  

Doctors have a message for vaccine-weary Americans: Don’t skip your flu shot this fall -- and seniors, ask for a special extra-strength kind. This year we know flu is back,” said influenza specialist Richard Webby of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. Here’s what to know: REVVED-UP SHOTS FOR SENIORS As people get older, their immune system doesn’t respond …

Bird flu outbreak nears worst ever in US with 37 million chickens and turkeys dead
2 years, 7 months ago

Bird flu outbreak nears worst ever in US with 37 million chickens and turkeys dead

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors …

This season’s flu vaccine seems to be a poor match, preliminary CDC data shows, but it has been a mild flu season
2 years, 9 months ago

This season’s flu vaccine seems to be a poor match, preliminary CDC data shows, but it has been a mild flu season

CNN  

CNN — The flu vaccine has not been a great a match for the predominant viruses this season, preliminary data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows – but the season isn’t over, and the estimate could change, the agency told CNN on Thursday. CDC spokesperson Kristen Nordlund also told CNN in an email that the agency …

US bird flu case puts chicken, turkey farms on high alert
2 years, 10 months ago

US bird flu case puts chicken, turkey farms on high alert

Associated Press  

DES MOINES, Iowa — Farms that raise turkeys and chickens for meat and eggs are on high alert and taking steps to increase biosecurity, fearing a repeat of a widespread bird flu outbreak in 2015 that killed 50 million birds across 15 states and cost the federal government nearly $1 billion. The poultry industry and government officials say they have …

UK reports unprecedented jump in early season bird flu cases
3 years ago

UK reports unprecedented jump in early season bird flu cases

Associated Press  

LONDON — U.K. authorities reported an unprecedented jump in early season cases of avian flu in both domestic and wild birds, triggering tight restrictions on poultry farmers across the country. The government has confirmed 40 outbreaks of avian flu among poultry and other captive birds this year, resulting in the culling of about 500,000 birds, Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss …

US health experts urge flu shots to avoid ‘twindemic’
3 years, 2 months ago

US health experts urge flu shots to avoid ‘twindemic’

Associated Press  

The U.S. is gearing up in case of a bad flu season on top of the continuing COVID-19 crisis, with a plea Thursday for Americans to get vaccinated against both. “We are preparing for the return of the flu.” Flu cases dropped to historically low levels globally over the pandemic, as restrictions designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus …

Moderna has begun human trials for an mRNA vaccine that targets multiple influenza strains
3 years, 5 months ago

Moderna has begun human trials for an mRNA vaccine that targets multiple influenza strains

Firstpost  

The company intends to recruit 180 adults in the United States for the Phase 1/2 portion of the trial to evaluate the safety and strength of immune response to the shot, called mRNA-1010. US biotech firm Moderna said Wednesday it had dosed its first participants in a human study of an mRNA vaccine that targets multiple strains of influenza. It …

Avian Influenza in Poultry Birds Confirmed in 9 States So Far: Govt
3 years, 11 months ago

Avian Influenza in Poultry Birds Confirmed in 9 States So Far: Govt

News 18  

The Centre on Saturday said bird flu in poultry has been confirmed so far in nine states of Kerala, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. “Till January 23, 2021, outbreaks of Avian Influenza have been confirmed in nine states for poultry birds,” Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying said in a statement. Bird flu …

UK hit by largest ever outbreak of bird flu as chickens join humans in isolating to stop virus spread
3 years, 11 months ago

UK hit by largest ever outbreak of bird flu as chickens join humans in isolating to stop virus spread

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. He says the UK can expect “quite a few more outbreaks” and wild birds testing positive - but it …

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