The state now excludes the purchase of avian flu vaccines

The state now excludes the purchase of avian flu vaccinesPixabay

The Ministry of Health now rules out joining EU Centralized Procurement Mechanism to whom Fifteen countries have joined in purchasing vaccines against bird flu given the low likelihood of transmission to humans in the state, although Leave the door open if necessary.

This was reported to EFE by sources in the agency headed by Mónica García, who clarify that at the moment there is no need to purchase vaccines corresponding to it within the framework of the purchase contract signed yesterday by the European urgent vaccination authority. response to health threats (HERA for him). supply of up to 665,000 doses against zoonotic influenza viruswhich is transmitted from animals to humans.

However, they remember that, like any other country, it can sign this agreement whenever it sees fit.

WHO urges vigilance after first bird flu death

First cases among cattle

The Center for Health Alerts and Emergency Alerts (CCAES) just released a new statewide risk assessment report that concluded that remains “very low.”

This comes after the United States was notified of three confirmed cases in April and May after exposure to dairy cows, which may represent the first case of transmission of the virus. Virus A(H5N1) to humans from mammals.

In addition, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported the detection of viral fragments in pasteurized milk collected from areas with infected herds, although the presence of genetic fragments of influenza A virus “does not indicate the presence of infectious viral particles that can infect humans through consumption of milk.”

However, the role of unprocessed milk in transmission of the disease is being studied, given that conventionally cooked milk is “safe to consume,” reminiscent of CCAES.

Bird flu: are we facing the next pandemic?

Worldwide since the start of the 2021-2022 season. through May 2024, 29 cases of HPAI A(H5N1) were confirmed in humans (5 reported as environmental contamination in exposed workers), of which 8 died.

From 2020 until now, not a single case of human infection has been confirmed either in the EU or in the state.

Very low probability even when in contact with sick animals.

Thus, the cases identified in the US do not change the risk assessment in the Spanish state, which remains “very low”; That likelihood of transmission of avian influenza A (H5N1) virus people in “It is very low, even when in contact with sick animals.”

Likewise, “the likelihood of transmission of the virus to humans through exposure to contaminated products is considered negligible” because, among other things, our country does not import cattle, meat, or raw milk from the United States.

“However, people with close or prolonged exposure without protection birds and other infected animals, or environments contaminated by infected birds or other animals, are at greater risk of infection,” he emphasizes.

Cases in humans can be serious, he continues, but “they are unusual because transmission from infected birds or mammals to humans is very rare, and transmission between people is extremely rare. Therefore, the risk to the general population is considered very low.“.

Likewise, the risk is equally low for workers who come into contact with sick animals in the workplace or those who live with sick pets.

Co-infection with human influenza viruses and the A(H5N1) virus is also possible. “too short”although “it should be taken into account that this is possible in farm workers and mammals susceptible to infection (such as mink, pigs or cows).”

For all these reasons, “it is very important to maintain and strengthen surveillance of both the livestock sector and farm-related workers, as well as prevention and control measures.” including collective and individual protection measures for people at risk of infection in the work environment“.

In any case, in Spain there are specific prevention, action and coordination protocols for early diagnosis and control, which include collective and individual protection measures, as well as monitoring of people exposed due to work, he concludes.