What Research is Important to Prepare for H5N1 Outbreaks?

The World Health Organization will host a virtual meeting on 19 March to identify the knowledge gaps and priority research questions related to the development and evaluation of medical countermeasures to prepare for and respond to H5N1 outbreaks

The meeting will outline regulatory pathways for mRNA vaccines and other novel approaches and review other therapeutics, including monoclonal antibodies and long-acting antivirals.

H5N1 influenza virus infection can cause a range of diseases in humans, from mild to severe and in some cases, it can even be fatal. Symptoms reported have primarily been respiratory, but conjunctivitis and other non-respiratory symptoms have also been reported. There have also been a few detections of A(H5N1) virus in persons who were exposed to infected animals or their environments but who did not show any symptoms.

The goose/Guangdong-lineage of H5N1 avian influenza viruses first emerged in 1996 and has been causing outbreaks in birds since then. Since 2020, a variant of these viruses has led to an unprecedented number of deaths in wild birds and poultry in many countries. First affecting Africa, Asia and Europe, in 2021, the virus spread to North America, and in 2022, to Central and South America. From 2021 to 2022, Europe and North America observed their largest and most extended epidemic of avian influenza with unusual persistence of the virus in wild bird populations.

Since 2022, there have been increasing reports of deadly outbreaks among mammals also caused by influenza A(H5) – including influenza A(H5N1) – viruses. There are likely to be more outbreaks that have not been detected or reported. Both land and sea mammals have been affected, including outbreaks in farmed fur animals, seals, sea lions, and detections in other wild and domestic animals such as foxes, bears, otters, raccoons, cats, dogs, cows, goats and others.

WHO works with countries to help them prevent, detect and manage cases of H5N1 virus infection in humans when they occur. WHO collaborates with global health partners and agencies, including the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), to monitor the risk, and control and prevent the spread of animal diseases.

WHO’s global laboratory system, the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), identifies and monitors strains of circulating influenza viruses, and provides advice to countries on their risk to human health and available treatment or control measures. WHO works with partners around the world on pandemic preparedness for H5N1 and other animal influenzas.

Influenza H5 pathogens have been included in the list of priority pathogens by the WHO R&D Blueprint for Epidemics. To coordinate efforts for research preparedness of H5N1 outbreaks, this global consultation will review current and novel vaccines and preventive pharmaceuticals.

Please visit the World Health Organization’s website for more information and to register.