Vaccinating risk groups against H5 in Finland
In July 2023, an outbreak of HPAI A(H5N1) caused by clade 2.3.4.4b genotype BB was detected on fur farms in Finland. Intensified surveillance activities identified 27 RT-PCR A(H5N1) - positive fur farms in western Finland. The outbreak, which affected nearly half a million farmed fur animals - mainly foxes and minks - was contained by the end of the year. Phylogenetic analyses indicated several initial introductions of genotype BB clade 2.3.4.4b viruses through large-scale exposure of fur animals to infected wild birds. Genomic analyses further revealed several mutations indicative of early mammalian adaptation of the viruses in their mammalian hosts. Animals on the affected farms were eventually culled. The culling of 485,000 animals on a total of 72 farms resulted in compensation for lost income amounting to 50.7 million EUR to the owners of the affected farms, as estimated by the Finnish Food Authority.
In spring 2023, when the European and global HPAI epidemic became evident, a decision was made to offer a new adapted avian influenza vaccine to those at increased risk as soon as it received marketing authorization from the European Medical Agency (EMA). This precautionary measure aimed to provide protection via immunization to enable continued fur farming in Finland. Finland is the first country in the world to initiate human vaccinations against this particular HPAI strain, a measure that likely would not have been taken if fur farming had been discontinued. This approach of vaccinating humans instead of the source of the infection, the animals, is not a One Health policy it is a wrong policy.
Don't forget the PANDEMRIX episode.