[James Thew/Adobe Stock]
The recent emergence of H5N1 avian influenza in humans and many other animals has intensified global efforts to prepare for a potential pandemic. Public health agencies and international organizations are collaborating with pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions to develop vaccines, treatments, and strategies to mitigate the impact of an outbreak. The CDC, for instance, has released interim guidelines for dealing with the highly pathogenic virus, including recommendations for antiviral treatment.While government agencies and international organizations are leading the charge on public health guidance, surveillance and research initiatives, private pharma firms are driving the development and manufacturing of H5N1 vaccines and antivirals, often in sync with academic institutions and with support from public funds.
Global efforts ramp up H5N1 pandemic preparednessWhile…