Categories: HEALTH

“H5N1 is breaking all the patterns we knew about bird flu”

Microbiologist Ignacio López-Goñi, veterinarian Elisa Pérez-Ramírez and pharmacist Gorka Orive publish Global Health, a book on the microbial threats we face that underlines the importance of the One Health strategy

70% of emerging diseases in humans originate in animals, that is, they are caused by pathogens that manage to “jump” between species. We have a very close example of this microbial “spin”: SARS-CoV-2which came from bats and managed to quickly adapt to humans.

Unfortunately, COVID-19 is not and will not be the only threat we must face with these characteristics.risks of zoonosis Not only is it not going to decrease, but it is likely to grow in the future, spurred by phenomena such as the climate emergency, globalization and deforestation.

Microbiology professor still remembers him Ignacio Lopez-GoniDoctor of Veterinary Medicine Elisa Perez Ramirez and professor of pharmacy Gorka Orif exist global health (Ediciones B), in this work three experts explain the extent to which animal, human and environmental health are interconnected and emphasize that the way to deal with the future challenges posed by zoonotic diseases is to implement a global health strategy – the so-called “A healthy”– Integrate the above three disciplines.

“Important progress has been made since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most importantly at an institutional level, we have taken steps to achieve what we need to achieve, which is that human, animal and environmental health are interconnected, but to achieve This goal is still a long way off. Theory and practice,” points out Pérez-Ramirez, who gives a clear example of the benefits brought by the One Health strategy.

“along with west nile virus Mosquitoes, birds and horses are monitored, for example in Doñana where the virus is spreading. Such surveillance could provide early warning, as there is ample evidence that warning signs are detected in animals three weeks before the outbreak begins in humans. “This data will allow us to implement a range of preventive measures to reduce the risk to people.”

“Human health is still considered a closed field. We still need to do this interconnected exercise at an academic level because it’s not in the research program and there’s no talk of ‘single health,'” Orif said. He agreed, and so did López-Goni.

“Equally important is, Strengthen coordination among relevant ministries such as health, agriculture and environment. An inter-ministerial office is needed to facilitate coordination,” adds the microbiologist, who believes that “it is a mistake today for veterinarians not to rely on the health department. ”

The threat of zoonotic influenza

If they had to bet which pathogen was best suited to star in the next pandemic, all three would zoonotic influenza as one of the most obvious threats.

“Influenza viruses meet many of the necessary requirements to be considered a pandemic risk”Pérez-Ramirez concluded.

He explained that the H5N1 subtype “is breaking all the patterns we previously knew about avian influenza, affecting almost the entire globe, with unprecedented mortality in species that have not traditionally suffered from the disease, and with the outbreak lasting an entire year.” “Fortunately, it still looks like it’s not very effective at jumping to humans, but the strong epidemiological changes it’s experienced in just over two years puts us in a scenario of very large uncertainty. . And putting a virus and uncertainty together is always a bit risky. ” he reflected.

In this sense, the authors favor close monitoring of the evolution of the virus and minimizing risks, such as those posed by mink farms, for which there is already evidence Reversing zoonosis

that is, mutual infection between animals and humans.

“Raising carnivores, especially mustelids, at very high densities and with low biosecurity measures is a clock bomb We have received many warnings in recent years,” Perez-Ramirez said.

“With COVID-19, it has been shown that not only did humans transmit the virus to mink, but that the animals replicated the virus at full speed, produced many adaptive mutations, and were able to pass the infection back to humans. This is a warning, but recently we have been hit again with bird flu. Huge panic, there was a very big outbreak on a farm in Galicia. Fortunately it didn’t affect the workers, but the risk is very high. I don’t know “more action needs to be done” I think, these types of farms The risk to public health simply does not outweigh the benefits derived from it.”

“Mosquitoes are the most dangerous animals on earth”

Experts point out that although arthropods do not occupy a top position in the new pandemic reservoir, we must also pay close attention to arthropod-borne pathogens.

“Mosquitoes are the most dangerous animals on earth. They cause more than 725,000 people die every year because it spreads hundreds of pathogens” such as malaria, dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya or the aforementioned West Nile virus.

“Some of these viruses were far away to us just a few years ago, but are now knocking on our door,” they note. In Europe, the first autochthonous dengue case was first reported in 2010, and several cases of the virus have been detected since. Local transmission is being closely monitored by experts.

The dangers of bacterial resistance

Another microbial threat that we must pay more attention to is bacterial resistanceOrif said. “This problem is clearly getting worse and we don’t have a clear solution yet. This is important because if antibiotics stop working, we will face a tipping point,” he said.

“The spread of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics is a major global problem,” adds López-Goni, recalling that many surgical procedures rely on antibiotics. “If antibiotics stop working, they may cure our cancer, but we may die from infections caused by bacteria. multidrug-resistant bacteria

“.

Today, it is estimated that around 35,000 people die every year in Spain from complications caused by multidrug-resistant bacterial infections; a problem arising from decades of misuse of antibiotics in humans and animals.

Orive, López-Goñi and Pérez-Ramírez all stressed that the focus must be on possible solutions could address the microbial threats we face.

They stress that, first, they must “invest in me”scientific research“This enables the development of rapid diagnostics for emerging pathogens as well as new vaccines and treatments.

Furthermore, they claimed cooperate, both between doctors, veterinarians, biologists, environmentalists, etc., but also between authorities involved in the field.Finally, they remember the need international solidarity. “This is a global health problem. “Until all of us are safe, no one is safe.”

According to the following standards

trust project

learn more

Source link

Admin

Share
Published by
Admin

Recent Posts

Dogz 3 PC Game Download Free Full Version

Publishers Mindscape Developers P.F. Magic Release date 1998 Genre Simulation Game rating Description of the…

3 months ago

The Barbie Diaries: High School Mystery PC Game Download Free Full Version

Editors Activision, Inc. Developers superego games Release date 2006 Gender Adventure Game Rating Game Description…

4 months ago

Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster and the Beanstalk PC Game Download Free Full Version

Editors Terraglyph Interactive Studios, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Developers Terraglifo interactive studios Release date nineteen…

4 months ago

Corpse Killer – Old Games Download PC Game Download Free Full Version

Editors Sega, Digital Images, Screaming Villains, Limited Run Games Developers Digital Images, Inc. Release date…

4 months ago

A2 Racer II – Old Games Download PC Game Download Free Full Version

Editors Davilex Games BV Developers Davilex Games BV Release date 1998 Gender Careers Game Rating…

4 months ago

Disney’s Stitch: Experiment 626 – Old Games Download PC Game Download Free Full Version

Editors Sony Computer Entertainment, Disney Interactive Studios Developers High voltage software Release date 2002 Gender…

4 months ago