Is Avian influenza virus still threatening humans? Preventative measures and treatment

Introduction Global shift in the ecology of highly pathogenic avian influenza strains like H5N1 and the spread of avian influenza to mammals are raising concerns and prompting action in the event of a pandemic. Due to the nature of viruses, a future influenza pandemic is inevitable and preparedn...

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Main Authors: Jacek Fordymacki, Ryszard Łagowski, Julia Kosęda, Barbara Fetner
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń 2025-01-01
Series:Quality in Sport
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Online Access:https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/57463
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author Jacek Fordymacki
Ryszard Łagowski
Julia Kosęda
Barbara Fetner
author_facet Jacek Fordymacki
Ryszard Łagowski
Julia Kosęda
Barbara Fetner
author_sort Jacek Fordymacki
collection DOAJ
description Introduction Global shift in the ecology of highly pathogenic avian influenza strains like H5N1 and the spread of avian influenza to mammals are raising concerns and prompting action in the event of a pandemic. Due to the nature of viruses, a future influenza pandemic is inevitable and preparedness for it vital. The aim of this article is to present the developed strategies for preventing pandemic influenza as a measure of preparedness for the upcoming threat. State of knowledge For public health purposes, influenza is divided into: seasonal, zoonotic and pandemic [1]. Although pandemic influenza spread very rare, it is of great concern due to its global reach and high mortality rate [2]. Health experts are concerned that a future pandemic could be caused by the H5N1 strain of the virus, an infection that can spread from birds to humans [3]. WHO, in collaboration with other institutions, continuously monitors influenza viruses. Based on risk assessment, it issues guidelines, develops surveillance strategies, and establishes a pandemic response plan. As part of preparedness for the next pandemic, specific influenza vaccines are developed and available antiviral drugs are being tested for their effectiveness against strains with pandemic potential. Summary Having appropriate policy and planning in place facilitates early response in order to suppress an influenza outbreak quickly, thus reducing the potentially catastrophic future impacts of a pandemic. Currently available antiviral medicines are mostly effective against the highly pathogenic strains of influenza A virus of concern. The Zoonotic influenza vaccines contains a strain matching the currently circulating clade to ensure protection. Effective plans will not succeed without the will to implement and execute them.
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spelling doaj-art-088ea3337f0c4cc19ed750abb36357692025-01-15T08:23:07ZengNicolaus Copernicus University in ToruńQuality in Sport2450-31182025-01-013710.12775/QS.2025.37.57463Is Avian influenza virus still threatening humans? Preventative measures and treatmentJacek Fordymacki0https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5269-7687Ryszard Łagowski1https://orcid.org/0009-0007-8441-054XJulia Kosęda2https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7742-2814Barbara Fetner3https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9413-9901SPZOZ Mińsk MazowieckiPomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Rybacka 1, 70-204 SzczecinPomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Rybacka 1, 70-204 SzczecinMedical University of Silesia Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Plac Traugutta 2, 41-800 Zabrze Introduction Global shift in the ecology of highly pathogenic avian influenza strains like H5N1 and the spread of avian influenza to mammals are raising concerns and prompting action in the event of a pandemic. Due to the nature of viruses, a future influenza pandemic is inevitable and preparedness for it vital. The aim of this article is to present the developed strategies for preventing pandemic influenza as a measure of preparedness for the upcoming threat. State of knowledge For public health purposes, influenza is divided into: seasonal, zoonotic and pandemic [1]. Although pandemic influenza spread very rare, it is of great concern due to its global reach and high mortality rate [2]. Health experts are concerned that a future pandemic could be caused by the H5N1 strain of the virus, an infection that can spread from birds to humans [3]. WHO, in collaboration with other institutions, continuously monitors influenza viruses. Based on risk assessment, it issues guidelines, develops surveillance strategies, and establishes a pandemic response plan. As part of preparedness for the next pandemic, specific influenza vaccines are developed and available antiviral drugs are being tested for their effectiveness against strains with pandemic potential. Summary Having appropriate policy and planning in place facilitates early response in order to suppress an influenza outbreak quickly, thus reducing the potentially catastrophic future impacts of a pandemic. Currently available antiviral medicines are mostly effective against the highly pathogenic strains of influenza A virus of concern. The Zoonotic influenza vaccines contains a strain matching the currently circulating clade to ensure protection. Effective plans will not succeed without the will to implement and execute them. https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/57463Zoonotic influenzapandemic influenzapreparednessvaccine
spellingShingle Jacek Fordymacki
Ryszard Łagowski
Julia Kosęda
Barbara Fetner
Is Avian influenza virus still threatening humans? Preventative measures and treatment
Quality in Sport
Zoonotic influenza
pandemic influenza
preparedness
vaccine
title Is Avian influenza virus still threatening humans? Preventative measures and treatment
title_full Is Avian influenza virus still threatening humans? Preventative measures and treatment
title_fullStr Is Avian influenza virus still threatening humans? Preventative measures and treatment
title_full_unstemmed Is Avian influenza virus still threatening humans? Preventative measures and treatment
title_short Is Avian influenza virus still threatening humans? Preventative measures and treatment
title_sort is avian influenza virus still threatening humans preventative measures and treatment
topic Zoonotic influenza
pandemic influenza
preparedness
vaccine
url https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/57463
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AT ryszardłagowski isavianinfluenzavirusstillthreateninghumanspreventativemeasuresandtreatment
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AT barbarafetner isavianinfluenzavirusstillthreateninghumanspreventativemeasuresandtreatment