ANP
Concerns about an avian flu pandemic among humans are rising among virologists. Not only birds, but also mammals such as minks and seals have recently become regularly infected. Last month, a 9-year-old girl in Ecuador even ended up in hospital with a variant of the virus.
All the more reason to be well prepared for a possible bird flu outbreak among humans. But that preparation is not yet in order, says virologist Marion Koopmans. “I would like to see more focused attention all over the world, for example, to mink farms. Because the risk is that if the virus ends up there, it will adapt and possibly become more dangerous for humans. That applies to mink, that applies to pigs I would like to see more attention for that.”
Virologist Thijs Kuiken also thinks it is important to take “as many measures as possible” to prevent the virus from jumping from animals to humans. “And if it does, to make sure we’re ready.”
Infected mammals
The bird flu virus has now spread worldwide in a “highly pathogenic” form – a variant that is very dangerous for birds. “And a form of which we know that the ancestors could occasionally infect people,” says Koopmans. “And there are now signs that infections in mammals are on the rise. You just don’t want to see that.”
I don’t really understand why there is no vaccination yet.
Virologist Thijs Kuiken
At a Spanish mink farm, the virus may have even jumped from mammal to mammal, researchers say. “That is special, because it indicates that the virus can also pass from person to person,” says Kuiken. “That could herald a new flu wave.”
At the moment, bird flu does not seem very dangerous for humans. But virologists see the virus changing as it circulates among the wild bird population. For example, new mixed forms are emerging that carry characteristics of two different forms of the virus. “And we see changes occur if this virus ends up in other animal species. And if the properties of the virus change, the risk for humans also changes,” says Koopmans.
Monitor pigs
For example, if the avian flu virus starts circulating among pigs, there is a risk that a mixture will develop between avian flu and flu viruses that occur in pigs. “There are examples in the past where flu pandemics were caused by a combination of bird flu and swine flu,” says Koopmans. “And we know that pigs are susceptible to bird flu viruses. So there are two ways that could lead to problems.”
She therefore argues for a better monitoring program among pigs, in which it is carefully examined what viruses are circulating among pigs. “With what we currently have in terms of monitoring systems, we are actually waiting until you start seeing circulation in people. But then you are already too late.”
Vaccinate
Another frequently mentioned measure against bird flu is the vaccination of poultry. In some countries, such as China, this is already happening on a large scale. Many poultry farmers and experts believe that the Netherlands should also start doing this soon, but the cabinet still wants to wait for research into the effectiveness of the vaccines.
“I don’t really understand why there is no vaccination yet,” says virologist Thijs Kuiken. “With vaccination you could prevent poultry from becoming infected with the virus. That is better for the poultry, but also reduces the chance that the virus will pass to people who help clear poultry farms.”
Scenario exercise
As far as Koopmans is concerned, vaccination can also help, but it will not be decisive in the fight against the spread of bird flu. “The problem is that the virus is now in wild birds, and you can’t vaccinate them. You can reduce the multiplication by vaccinating poultry. Now we do that by clearing infected farms, but that results in a lot of dead chickens. Very a lot of.”
As far as she is concerned, there is another important measure that can be used: a “scenario exercise”. Koopmans: “Suppose that sooner or later a new flu virus arises that is also dangerous for people. What do we need then? What do we need to prepare? I think that exercise would be very good to do. Something like that requires a lot of preparation , but it would be good not to wait too long.”
