How a US agency in the US becomes the key to Bird Flu fight

Since Donald Trump has owned in January the leading US health agency pulling preparations for a potential bird flu Pndemic. But as it stood back, another government agency was flowing.

While the Department of Health Health and Human Services (HHS) previously conducted regular efforts of a deadly blow of Bird H5N1, eventually stopping a Trump. It also canceled the fund for a vaccine that is a virus. In contrast, the US Department of Agricultureulture (USDA) is sorry for fighting against H5N1 spreading chicken and verds of Dairiards in the development of livestock vaccines.

This particular virus – a strain of avian influenza called H5N1 – gives a significant threat to people, killed about half of half of people around 1000 Worldwide tried positively for this since 2003. While pathogen spreads the birds, poorly adapted and unknown to send to people. But that can be changed if it Mutations were obtained It is allowed to spread more easily with mammals – a risk adding each mammalian infection.

The possibility of H5N1 changed to be more dangerous to people growing because of March 2024, when the virus jumps from migratory birds to the cattle of migratory in Texas migratory. More than 1,070 Herdss The 17 states continued to be affected since then.

H5N1 also imposes chickens, places the virus closer to people. Since 2022, almost 175 million domestic birds US-targeted due to H5N1, and almost all 71 people Who has been tested positive for this direct contact with livestock.

“We have to make it seriously because when (H5N1) continues to spread, it always leads people,” as Semad Law at Georgia’s Emory University. The virus has been killed a person in the US and a Mexican child this year.

However cases declined under Trump. The last recorded person’s case in February, and the number of the affected crowds dropped 95 percent between the past and June. The milk cattle bursts are still on.

It is not clear what causes reduces. Lakdawa believes it is part of a lull of bird migration, which reduces opportunities for viruses spread from wild birds to livestock. Can also show USDA efforts with bursts of farms. In February, the USDA revealed a $ 1 billion plan For facing H5N1, including strengthening farmers’ defenses against the virus, such as free bioscurity assessment. In 150 facilities undertaking analysis, only one experienced an outbreak of H5N1.

Under Trump, the USDA also continues to try to try milk test, which rules farms giving raw samples of influenza. If a farm is positive for H5N1, the USDA should allow livestock and implement measures to contain virus. The USDA launches Program in December and caused to participate in participation in 45 says.

“The strategy of national milk test is a wonderful system,” as Erin Sorrell At Johns Hopkins University in Maryland. Along with USDA efforts to improve bioscurity measures in farms, it is important to try milk for inside outrell.

But while the USDA reinforces efforts against H5N1, HHS does not appear followed. In fact, the recent drop in human cases may appear decreases monitoring Due to work-cuts, as Sorrell. In April, HHS has stopped 10,000 employeesincluding 90 percent to National Institute staff for job safety and health, an office that can help Check H5N1 Outbreaks to farm workers.

“There’s an old saying that if you don’t try something, you can’t find it,” Sorry Sorry. However a spokesman for US centers for disease control and avoidance (CDC) says its guidance and Monitoring efforts did not change. “State Departments and Local Deald Health continue to monitor diseases of people exposed to sick animals,” they told New Scientist. “CDC remains commitment to fast conversation with information as required about H5N1.”

USDA and HHS also changed vaccination. While USDA allows $ 100 million to develop vaccines and other solutions to avoid development of H5N1 in contracts for flu vaccine contracts. Contracts – ended on 28 May – with Pharmaceutical Company Moderna to develop vaccines that focus on flu subtypes, including H5N1, which can cause pandemics. The news came on the same day Moderna reported almost 98 percent of nearly 300 participants receiving two doses of H5 vaccine in a clinical test has antibody levels that are believed to be protected against the virus.

The US has part five million h5n1 The vaccine doses started, but it was made with eggs and cultural cells, which were longer to produce MRNA based vaccines. Moderna’s vaccine modern with stockpile and runs the government rapidly to make vaccines if there is a pandemic, as Sorrell. “Looks like an effective platform and focus on the US and others to go first in the footing if and if we need a vaccine for our general public,” he said.

HHS canceled contracts due to concerns about MRNA vaccines, Robert F Kennedy Jr – has the highest rank in Public Public Health Official Official – have Ago no doubt. “The reality that MRNA technology has remained, and we do not spend tax taxes repeated by the faults of the last administration,” as the Director of HHS communication with a statement of New Scientist.

However, MRNA technology is not new. This is in progress for more than a half a century And many clinical tests show MRNA vaccines safe. As they bring risk to side effects – most tender – it is true to almost every medical treatment. In a press release, Moderna says it explores alternative funds paths for the program.

“My principle is that we don’t have to look at taking any table, and includes any kind of vaccine regimen,” Lakdawala said.

“Vaccines are the most effective way of resisting a contagious disease,” Sorry Sorry. “And so having it in your arsenal and ready to go give you many options.”