The Growing Threat of Avian Influenza

The global community is facing a heightened risk of an avian influenza pandemic, as the virus increasingly breaches species barriers.Originally confined to poultry and wild birds, avian influenza viruses (AI) are now being detected in mammals, including humans, raising concerns about potential human-to-human transmission. While no such transmission has been confirmed to date, experts are closely monitoring the situation.

Expert Insights on Pandemic Preparedness

During a forum organized by the Korea Medical bioshobiza Association in collaboration with Seoul National University, leading experts convened to discuss the escalating risks and necessary response strategies for a potential avian flu pandemic. The forum, titled “Bird Influenza’s Fan Demi Mick’s Risk and Response Strategy,” highlighted the urgent need for proactive measures.

Viral Mutation and Spillover: A Dangerous Combination

Professor Song Dae-seop, a veterinarian at Seoul national University, emphasized the growing concern among think tanks regarding a potential avian influenza pandemic, drawing parallels to the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted instances of farm workers, even those working with cattle, contracting avian influenza, manifesting as conjunctivitis. This “spillover” phenomenon, where the virus jumps from birds to mammals, is a key factor driving pandemic risk.

Bird influenza is converting the virus to increase the likelihood of human infection.
Professor Song Dae-seop,Seoul National University

Professor Kim Nam-joong,an infectious disease specialist at Seoul National University Hospital,echoed these concerns,stating that increased mammalian infections raise the probability of avian influenza viruses evolving into forms easily transmissible between humans. Viral reassortment, a process where viruses exchange genetic material, could further accelerate this evolution, perhaps triggering a pandemic.

High Mortality Rate and the Need for Surveillance

The mortality rate associated with avian influenza is alarmingly high. Globally, out of approximately 2,050 confirmed human cases, 752 have resulted in death, yielding a mortality rate of 37%. This underscores the severity of the disease, even in asymptomatic cases. The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to monitor and report on human cases of avian influenza, emphasizing the need for heightened surveillance.

It is indeed tough to accurately predict the bird influenza fan -decicated, but it will be necessary for continuous surveillance on the occurrence of avian influenza viruses that can be spread between people.
Professor Kim Nam-joong, Seoul National University Hospital

Treatment Options and Preventive Measures

Fortunately, existing antiviral medications, such as Oseltamivir (Tamiflu), have demonstrated efficacy against avian influenza.Furthermore, preventive vaccines are available for specific strains, such as the highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1). Professor Lee Chan-mi, an infectious disease specialist at Seoul National University Hospital, confirmed the sensitivity of avian influenza to various influenza treatments.

National Response and collaborative Efforts

While South Korea has not reported any human cases of avian influenza, the korea Institute for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledges the recurring outbreaks in animal populations, including a cluster infection in a cat shelter in 2023. The institute is collaborating with various government ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, to implement preventative measures. These include establishing an AI special period, providing free preemptive testing, and closely monitoring suspected cases.

Protecting Your Pets: A Crucial Step

Experts also caution pet owners to exercise vigilance, noting that the risk of zoonotic transmission – the spread of infectious diseases from animals to humans – is a two-way street. Taking precautions to protect pets from exposure to potentially infected birds is crucial in mitigating the overall risk.

Pet care should be careful, as it is twice as much as the opposite of the prevalence of infectious diseases from humans to animals.
Professor Song Dae-seop, Seoul National University