Expert Urges Strengthened Bird Flu Biosecurity Measures

Healthcare workers in protective gear in quarantine room.

A recent bird flu outbreak has prompted former CDC Director Robert Redfield to issue a dire warning about the potential for a pandemic more devastating than COVID-19.

At a Glance

First U.S. bird flu death reported in Louisiana.
Redfield warns of inevitable bird flu pandemic.
Calls for enhanced biosecurity measures.
Moratorium on gain-of-function research suggested.

Louisiana Records Bird Flu Fatality

An elderly individual in Louisiana is the first reported U.S. death in the current bird flu outbreak. The individual, who had underlying health conditions, contracted the virus after exposure to a non-commercial backyard flock and wild birds. Health authorities conducted an investigation and found no other human cases or evidence of human-to-human transmission in Louisiana, though the risk of such a development is a concern.

Over 65 people have contracted bird flu in the current outbreak, primarily from infected animals. The H5N1 virus is particularly concerning due to its presence in wild birds and some domestic poultry. According to the CDC, the general risk to the public is currently low, with no significant changes detected in the virus. California recently declared a state of emergency because of outbreaks in dairy cattle.

Former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield said he predicts a bird flu pandemic will happen, it’s just a matter of when that will be. https://t.co/23chXb2fg9

— The Hill (@thehill) June 15, 2024

Redfield’s Pandemic Warning

Robert Redfield, former CDC director, warns that a bird flu pandemic among humans is not a matter of “if” but “when.” Redfield expressed concerns about the virus’s potential to mutate, emphasizing the need for advanced biosecurity strategies. He stressed the importance of halting risky research practices, such as gain-of-function studies, until they can be better regulated. Redfield also highlighted the necessity for improved national response initiatives and the development of effective antiviral treatments.

“I really do think it’s very likely that we will, at some time—it’s not a question of if; it’s more of a question of when—we will have a bird flu pandemic,” Redfield said.

A variety of mammals can harbor the bird flu virus, including cows, cats, and elephants, raising concerns of possible transmissions. Health advice urges the public to avoid contact with wild birds and animals and to practice good hygiene. Pets are also at risk, especially when consuming raw meat or milk. Redfield compares the biosecurity threat to national security issues, advocating for a proportional national response to the growing threat.

CDC confirms first severe case of H5N1 Bird Flu in the U.S. While an investigation into the source of the infection is ongoing, it has been determined that the patient had exposure to sick and dead birds in backyard flocks.

No person-to-person spread of H5 bird flu has been… pic.twitter.com/0jgHKkjQpx

— CDC (@CDCgov) December 18, 2024

Call for Increased Biosecurity Measures

Redfield has long been a proponent of enhanced biosecurity measures, having served on a commission on China and COVID-19. He calls for a comprehensive commission akin to a 9/11 commission to assess and address biosecurity threats adequately. His recommendations include a focus on developing vaccines and antiviral drug prospects as a preventive strategy against potential bird flu pandemics.

“The risk here of something going from one or two sporadic cases to becoming something of international concern, it’s not insignificant,” CDC Principal Deputy Director Nirav Shah said. “We’ve all seen how a virus can spread around the globe before public health has even had a chance to get its shoes on.”

To address these potential future challenges, Redfield urges that biosecurity measures receive attention commensurate with defense spending. He stresses the urgency of vaccine development and implementing scalable health responses. With the current bird flu outbreak highlighting these vulnerabilities, Redfield’s cautionary message serves as a prompt for immediate and decisive action.