2020, escape from viruses. Covid-19 is joined by the African swine fever alert, as noted, and the avian influenza alert. Update on Avian Influence (AI) in Europe and brief notes.
2020 bird flu in Europe
On 9/30/20, an alert was triggered on the spread of a highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N8) strain in Europe affecting wild and domestic birds. The H5N8 strain-reported in 2019 in western Russia and northern Kazakhstan-came with migratory birds to Hungary and Bulgaria in early 2020. All the way down to lapping other territories in northeastern Europe-the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Germany-and then descending southward to Corsica (France). Interim surveillance and protection measures have been taken by both the European Commission and individual member states. (1)
The alert arose following the latest update report, published by EFSA(European Food Safety Authority) and ECDC(European Center for Disease Prevention and Control) on 9/30/20. (2) All member states were urged to take extraordinary measures to prevent and detect suspected cases, increase biosecurity measures, and promptly notify the competent authorities of any outbreak. The European reference laboratory, for avian influenza and Newcastle disease, is the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSV). In Italy, the Ministry of Health has therefore ordered the intensification of surveillance and biosecurity measures throughout the country. (3)
Istituto Zoprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, avian influenza outbreak map, July-November 2020
Avian influenza, virus and pathogenicity
The virus is classified into several subtypes based on the two surface antigens. The outer envelope(envelope) has two glycoproteins, hemagglutinins (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). And the 16 types of HA can be variably combined with the 9 types of NA to configure different subtypes of InfluenzavirusA. Pathogenetically,highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and low pathogenic influenza (LPAI) viruses are distinguished.
Wild aquatic birds, belonging to the orders Anseriformes and Charadriformes, serve as natural reservoirs of all H5 or H7 viruses in the low pathogenicity form. However, which-as a result of transmission from wild birds during migration to farm poultry (chickens and turkeys)-are prone to undergo genetic mutations that transform them into highly pathogenic viruses.
Mutations and zooonotic potential
Avian influenza (AI) is a highly contagious infectious disease that affects many species of birds, wild and domestic. The presence of H5N1 virus in domestic poultry is a cause for concern because it can infect other animals (pigs, horses, dogs) as well.
Under certain conditions, its co-presence with human influenza virus could give rise to new virus capable of easily transmitting to humans. Thus, the virus of the genus InfluenzavirusA has zoonotic potential. That is, it could make the so-called ‘species leap’.
Classical prevention and its limitations
The general approach toward viruses-avian flu, African swine fever and even SARS-CoV2-is currently rooted on preventing infection and finding vaccines. Prevention of infection can be very difficult, particularly when highly contagious viruses are involved and where:
– monitoring systems(tracing, of infected animals and/or humans) are ineffective,
– basic sanitation facilities are lacking. (4)
Moreover, the search for suitable vaccines , in the case of influenza viruses, is problematic because they are subject to frequent mutations. And it is therefore that the composition of the flu vaccine is updated every year, following guidance from the World Health Organization(WHO). Based on an estimate of the strains expected to circulate most in the months ahead.
Possible horizons
The gut microbiota, which is responsible for modulating the immune system, is receiving increasing attention from the international scientific community. (5) Correlations between various patterns of balanced nutrition-with intakes of various nutrients (e.g., Omega 3, prebiotic fibers and probiotics, dietary fiber, polyphenols, microalgae)-and improved immune system efficiency are already established. (6)
The animals’ immune systems in turn can be strengthened by supplementing feed-and pet food, for pets-with mixes of algae, microalgae, and phytocompounds (e.g., Algatan) that have been shown to be effective in numerous scientific studies. (7) With applications in poultry farms, as well as pigs and sheep, which in Italy itself has enabled the reduction and elimination of antibiotic use in animal husbandry. But this research, like that on the efficacy of vitamin D to prevent and mitigate the effects of Covid-19 LINK, seems to be completely overlooked by policy makers as well as by economic actors and the press. Coaction to repeat or conflict of interest? (8)
Dario Dongo and Carmela Mele
Notes
(1) See most recently Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/1606 of October 30, 2020 concerning certain interim protection measures against highly pathogenic avian influenza of subtype H5N8 in the Netherlands (C/2020/7633). https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/IT/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32020D1606&from=IT
(2) EFSA, ECDC. Avian influenza overview May – August 2020. EFSA Journal, Volume 18, Issue 9, September 2020. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2020.6270
(3) Ministry of Health, DGSAF, note 2.10.20 no. 21329
(4) Dario Dongo. Covid-19, World Water Report. Precautions impossible for 55% of humanity. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 4/17/20, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/sicurezza/covid-19-world-water-report-precauzioni-impossibili-al-55-dell-umanità
(5) Paola Palestini. Microbiome and gut, the second brain. GIFT(Great Italian Food Trade). 14.2.19, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/salute/microbioma-e-intestino-il-secondo-cervello
(6) Dario Dongo and Andrea Adelmo Della Penna. Gut microbiota, diet and health. GIFT(Great Italian Food Trade). 6/19/20, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/salute/microbiota-intestinale-dieta-e-salute
(7) Dario Dongo and Andrea Adelmo Della Penna. Animal husbandry, algae and microalgae to prevent antibiotic use. Algatan. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 6/19/20, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/progresso/zootecnia-alghe-e-microalghe-per-prevenire-l-uso-di-antibiotici-algatan
(8) Jodie McVernon (Associate Professor, Public Health, University of Melbourne, Australia). Controversies in medicine: the rise and fall of the challenge to Tamiflu. The Conversation. 9/30/15, https://theconversation.com/controversies-in-medicine-the-rise-and-fall-of-the-challenge-to-tamiflu-38287
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
Veterinary Manager - Animal Health, ASSL of Cagliari. Veterinarian specialized in the pig sector.
