Scientists have found that often used influenza antiviruses do not work against the H5N1 bird flu virus in cows.
Existing antiviruses can be less effective than this deformity of the H5N1 bird flu and prevention measures such as avoiding raw milk consumption and a decrease in milk workers, perhaps the most effective way to protect against the virus.
As the H5N1 flash continues in the US, scientists are working to better understand the risk of human health.
The virus was found in milk -milk cows and infected agricultural workers, which causes scientists at the Sental Children’s Research Hospital to study potential treatments.
The results showed that two antiviruses, approved by the FDA have not successfully treated serious H5N1 infections in the preclinical model. In addition, the researchers found that the path of infection, whether through the eyes, nose or mouth, significantly affect the effectiveness of treatment.
The conclusions were published today in Nature Microbiology.
“Our data suggest that it will probably be difficult for people who are heavily infected with this cattle influenza H5N1,” said the author, who is rewritten by Richard Webbi, Candidate of Medical Sciences, the Microbial Interaction Department.
“Instead, reducing the risk of infection without using raw milk and reducing the exposition of labor farms, for example, can be the most effective event.”
Although H5N1 infections are rare in people, there are more than 60 people who are infected with milk exposures to date.
Some of them were infected by the effects of contaminated cows, such as dairy workers who were infected with splashes or aerosized particles that reach noses and eyes.
Given the risks of human health, scientists used a mouse model to check how each antiviral drug worked against the virus when it was obtained through three different ways.
“In general, Baloxavir [Xofluza] caused a greater decrease in the level of the virus than the Osseltavir [Tamiflu]But none of them was always effective, “said the first author Jeremy Jones, the candidate of medical sciences, the department of interaction of the Microb.
Researchers studied the pathways that included eyes, mouths and nose, which are the most common ways to contract the virus. The oral route that mimics the drinking infected cow’s milk caused the worst infections that were difficult for treatment.
In contrast, the data showed that Baloxavir controls infections through the eyes. These results are especially relevant because the eye route is a common way of infection for people who work directly with dairy cows.
Also read: Bird Flu in North America: What everyone can know about flash
