“The pandemic risk is real,” says virologist Bruno Lina after the EU purchased 665,000 doses of a vaccine

“As this virus has particular potential, we are preparing a little more, just to have elements of response,” launches Bruno Lina, Thursday on France Inter.

“What you need to do is prepare.”, declared Thursday June 13 on France Inter Bruno Lina, professor of virology at Lyon University Hospital, after the European Union concluded a contract allowing it to purchase, on behalf of Member States, up to 665,000 doses of a vaccine preventing the transmission of avian influenza to humans, while several cases have been reported in Australia, Mexico and the United States. A market with an option for 40 million additional doses. “We are facing a risk. This pandemic risk is not major, but it is real,” underlines the member of the Health Risk Monitoring and Anticipation Committee (Covars).

“Wild birds that are present in North America have a virus [de la grippe aviaire] which did not circulate in Europe”, explains the scientist. “Bird migration corridors to the Arctic, this applies to virtually all birds in the world that migrate north,” he adds, and “When the birds of Europe come back down, it is possible that a certain number of them will have acquired this virus and that the situation present today in North America will be transposed to Europe”. “As this virus has particular potential, we are preparing a little more, just to have some elements of response,” he points.

THE “avian risk has actually existed since 2003 or even since 1997“, indicates Bruno Lina. Since then, almost 900 cases have been recorded and, in total, there have been around 480 deaths. “It’s really an avian virus, there is no transmission between humans, but when it infects humans, it often goes very badly.” “We must prevent men from being infected” And “that this virus adapts to humans”.

The researcher at the International Center for Research in Infectiology in Lyon plans “in a scenario that is not the most likely”. “Let’s imagine that birds are contaminated on their way down to Europe, that farm animals or animals that come into contact with humans become contaminated in turn.”

“These animals will multiply the virus and as they are mammals, they can cause modifications to the virus which would potentially adapt it to humans.”

Bruno Lina, virologist

on France Inter

“If you ever have people who are contaminated from viruses hosted by cattle, goats, cats, foxes, bears, etc., there is a risk of adaptation. In this case, it will be necessary that “We treat them very quickly, we diagnose them And above all, if the virus ever evolves, we vaccinate preventively. At that time, we will use the stock of vaccines that will have been put in place.” he concludes.