Avian Flu, Cases underestimated in Italy

Fabrizio Pregliasco, Director of the Graduate School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine at the State University of Milan, has expressed concerns over the potential for human cases of the H5N1 virus to emerge in Italy in the near future. He has also made a compelling case for the enhancement of health surveillance at the international level, with particular reference to the underestimation of the virus’s spread in animals and the need for greater vigilance in monitoring its progression in humans. Mauro Pistello, Director of the Unit of Virology at the University Hospital of Pisa, has stated that the recent occurrence of a cat infected with avian flu signifies the adaptation of the H5N1 virus to a potential species change. While a vaccine against the H5N1 virus is already available, with some European countries having accumulated stocks, Italy has not opted for the pre-pandemic vaccines as emphasised by Pregliasco. Concurrently, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has agreed to allocate $590 million to Moderna to accelerate the development of pandemic influenza vaccines based on mRNA, which has been proven effective in the treatment of COVID-19. Furthermore, Moderna has initiated the design and testing phases of a Phase 3 clinical trial for a pandemic mRNA influenza vaccine targeting the avian H7N9 virus.