Finland has taken a pioneering step in the European Union by beginning vaccinations against the H5N1 avian flu, which is currently spreading among US cattle. The country will use the Sequirus vaccine, procured through a joint EU effort.
Hanna Nohynek, the chief physician at Finland’s Infectious Diseases Control and Vaccines Unit, revealed that Finland intended to start vaccinations last year as a preventive measure. However, the necessary vaccine was not available at that time.
The highly pathogenic avian flu saw a significant spread among wild and domestic birds in 2023. Notably, in July 2023, farmed foxes, minks, and raccoons in southern and central Ostrobothnia regions of Finland were affected by the virus. This marked only the second known outbreak in fur animal farms since a previous incident in Spain.
During a World Health Organization briefing on H5N1, Professor Ian Brown, who chairs the OFFLU network specializing in animal influenza, emphasized that the virus does not easily spread among humans. Most human cases have involved close contact with infected poultry. However, the virus’s presence in mammals is concerning as it indicates potential adaptation and an increased risk of mammal-to-mammal transmission. Brown warned that if the virus becomes endemic in US cattle, it could pose a higher risk of human infection.
In response to the threat, the Finnish Food Authority has issued guidelines to enhance biosecurity on farms. The Finnish National Immunisation Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) has also recommended that H5N1 vaccinations be offered to individuals working with poultry and on fur farms. Nohynek commented on the situation, stating, “Last year the situation looked very alarming. This year has been calmer, but we know from the US that the virus is still present. We want to protect those working with potentially affected animals.”
The Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA), established by the European Commission in 2021, has identified avian flu as a priority threat. A Commission source told Euractiv that the executive body supports developing appropriate medical countermeasures, including vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics for human use. This deployment marks the first use of the Sequirus vaccine.
An editorial in The Lancet, titled ‘H5N1: International Failures and Uncomfortable Truths’, has criticized the global response to the H5N1 outbreak, particularly targeting the US Department of Agriculture. The editorial described the US response as slow in sharing virus sequence data and called for urgent actions to improve testing, surveillance, and reporting of infected animal populations. The Lancet also urged the development and stockpiling of human vaccines, alongside promoting protective measures to curb the outbreak.
By initiating these proactive measures, Finland aims to protect its workers and prevent the spread of avian flu, setting a precedent for other EU countries to follow.
