Color transmission electron micrograph of avian influenza A H5N1 virus. Credit: Public Domain
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating whether the U.S. avian influenza vaccine stockpile is still sufficiently adapted to the virus following the discovery of recent mutations.
The CDC announced Friday that it has identified genetic changes in the virus, commonly known as H5N1, after sequencing samples taken from three infected people in California. The nation’s top dairy state confirmed six new cases this month, bringing the total number of cases in the U.S. this year to 20. Almost all were workers who had come into contact with sick animals.
The virus appeared to be closely related to the virus currently circulating in dairy cows and contained mutations that could affect the country’s avian influenza vaccine stockpile. The CDC said it is investigating whether existing vaccine candidates are still sufficiently compatible with these viruses.
The United States is ramping up its supply of avian influenza vaccines as infections spread across the country among poultry and dairy cattle. Approximately 300 dairy herds in 14 states were affected.
Human-to-human transmission has not been confirmed, but the government has built a stockpile of 4.8 million vaccine doses in case the risk posed by the virus increases. The company aims to produce 10 million units by the first quarter of 2025. We are also supporting Moderna, which is developing an mRNA avian influenza vaccine.
The CDC’s latest sequencing efforts found no changes that would make it more infectious or transmissible between humans. The agency believes that while the immediate risk to the general public remains low, the risk to people exposed to infected animals is high. Still, surveillance is increasing.
On Friday, the CDC announced it was working with pharmacy networks eTrueNorth and Walgreens on a pilot program to offer flu tests to sick patients in California and another unnamed state. If a patient tests positive, the program will determine whether additional avian influenza-specific testing is required.
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