# Flu experts gather with H5N1 risk on the agenda Author: Pal Sinha, Barnali Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali Published: 2023-02-24 Category: NEWS Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/news Meta Title: Experts Discuss Threat of H5N1 Avian Flu at WHO Meeting Meta Description: World Health Organization and global flu experts discuss the risk of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b spillover to humans and vaccine development implications. URL: https://financedigest.com/flu-experts-gather-with-h5n1-risk-on-the-agendahtml ![undefined](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/2023-02-24t085518z2lynxmpej1n06crtroptp4health-birdflu-vaccine-1736814413742-compressed.jpg) By Jennifer Rigby LONDON (Reuters) – The world’s leading experts on influenza met this week to discuss the threat posed to humans by a strain of H5N1 avian flu that has caused record numbers of bird deaths around the world in recent months. The group of scientists, regulators and vaccine manufacturers meets twice a year to decide which strain of seasonal flu to include in the vaccine for the upcoming winter season, in this case for the northern hemisphere. But it is also a chance to discuss the risk of animal [viruses spilling over to humans and causing a pandemic](https://www.financedigest.com/pandemic-restrictions-that-hampered-the-circulation-of-viruses-other-than-covid-19.html "Pandemic restrictions that hampered the circulation of viruses other than COVID-19"). At this week’s meeting, H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b was a key topic, the [World Health](https://www.financedigest.com/breaking-the-stigma-men-and-mental-health-in-the-world-of-investments.html "Breaking the Stigma: Men and Mental Health in the World of Investments") Organization (WHO) and global flu experts told Reuters. They will brief reporters on both the seasonal flu vaccine composition and spillover [risks later on Friday](https://www.financedigest.com/staying-ahead-of-risk-this-black-friday.html "Staying Ahead of Risk This Black Friday"). We are more prepared (than for COVID), but even if we are more prepared, we are not yet prepared enough,” Sylvie Briand, WHO director of global infectious hazard preparedness, said [ahead of the meeting](https://www.financedigest.com/sterling-steadies-vs-dollar-ahead-of-boe-ecb-meetings.html "Sterling steadies vs dollar ahead of BoE, ECB meetings"). We [need to really continue the efforts for a flu pandemic.”](https://www.financedigest.com/re-mortgaging-your-home-in-the-middle-of-a-pandemic-what-you-need-to-know.html "Re-Mortgaging Your Home In The Middle Of A Pandemic: What You Need To Know") Experts have been tracking H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b since it emerged in 2020, but recent reports of mass deaths in infected mammals from seals to bears, as well as potential mammal-to-mammal transmission on a [Spanish mink farm last year](https://www.financedigest.com/10-year-david-goliath-crusade-finally-sees-justice-for-off-plan-spanish-property-buyers.html "10 year ‘David & Goliath’ crusade finally sees justice for off-plan Spanish property buyers"), have raised concern. However, there have been very few human cases, and the WHO currently assesses the threat to humans as low. This is a natural experiment playing out in front of us, and I don’t think we are complacent,” said Nicola Lewis, director of the WHO Collaborating [Centre on Influenza at the Crick Institute in London](https://www.financedigest.com/new-york-catches-up-with-london-to-head-citys-global-centres-survey.html "New York catches up with London to head City’s global centres survey"). Speaking before the meeting, she said it would include assessments of the situation worldwide. Experts also discussed potential vaccine development. WHO-affiliated [labs already hold](https://www.financedigest.com/codex-protocol-consensys-and-rare-art-labs-to-hold-live-auction-at-ethereal-summit-in-nyc.html "Codex Protocol, ConsenSys and Rare Art Labs to Hold Live Auction at Ethereal Summit in NYC") two flu virus strains that are closely related to the circulating H5N1 virus, which could be used by vaccine manufacturers to create a human vaccine if needed. One of them was added after the previous WHO flu meeting in September 2022, and labs around the world are currently [testing how closely both subtypes match the strain](https://www.financedigest.com/france-strains-to-avert-power-cuts-as-cold-snap-tests-europes-energy-resolve.html "France strains to avert power cuts as cold snap tests Europe’s energy resolve") spreading among animals to determine whether any more updates are necessary. A number of companies that produce seasonal flu [vaccines](https://www.financedigest.com/interoperability-of-data-to-accelerate-the-flu-vaccines-market.html "Interoperability of data to accelerate the Flu Vaccines Market") can also make pandemic flu vaccines. For example, GSK and CSL Seqirus are already working with the United States Biomedical [Advanced Research](https://www.financedigest.com/lumen-research-and-tvision-announce-global-partnership-for-advanced-attention-first-measurement-and-media-buying.html "Lumen Research and TVision Announce Global Partnership for Advanced Attention-First Measurement and Media Buying") and Development Authority (BARDA) to test shots based on one of the closely-related strains. Having these strains ready could save [around two months in the development of a vaccine](https://www.financedigest.com/the-autogenous-vaccines-market-to-throw-its-innovation-based-weight-around.html "The Autogenous Vaccines Market to throw its innovation-based weight around"), said the WHO’s Briand. But getting [enough vaccine](https://www.financedigest.com/germanys-vaccine-panel-says-one-covid-shot-enough-for-children.html "Germany’s vaccine panel says one COVID shot enough for children") developed quickly would still remain a challenge in a pandemic situation, the experts said. (Reporting by Jennifer Rigby; Editing by Mark Potter) --- This blog is powered by Superblog. Visit https://superblog.ai to know more. ---