ASPR’s Response to H5N1 Bird Flu

H5N1 bird flu is widespread in wild birds worldwide and is causing outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows. While the current public health risk is low, the HHS Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) is monitoring the situation closely and making resources available to support state, local, tribal, and territorial partners.

ASPR has several preparedness elements in place to help stay ahead of the H5N1 virus that is infecting cows. ASPR has personal protective equipment (PPE) and antiviral drugs available in the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). The National Pre-pandemic Influenza Vaccine Stockpile (NPIVS), managed by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, contains pre-pandemic influenza vaccine “building blocks” in the form of bulk antigens, the part of vaccine that triggers the immune system to protect against the virus; and adjuvants which reduce the amount of antigen needed to trigger an immune response.

PPE

The SNS maintains a large inventory of PPE that may be requested to protect health care professionals. SNS is also offering the following types of PPE for workers on farms or related industries where cattle or other infected animals are present: face shields, gloves, NIOSH-approved N95 respirators, elastomeric half-mask respirators, and goggles.

ASPR’s mission is to help the country prepare for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies and disasters. The SNS contributes to this mission as the nation’s largest repository of emergency medical supplies. While many states hold large supplies of PPE in state-held stockpiles, if those stockpiles of PPE are depleted or unavailable, federal supplies managed by SNS may be requested. The HHS Secretary’s Operations Center (SOC) is the initial contact for requesting emergency supplies. The SOC is staffed by ASPR 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. More information can be found at: Requesting SNS Assets. PPE may also be obtained via the commercial market through the normal supply chain.

Vaccines

NPIVS holds an array of pre-pandemic bulk antigens to protect against influenza viruses with pandemic potential. The NPIVS maintains sufficient raw materials to rapidly formulate enough vaccine doses to immunize critical care workers and at-risk populations during the early phases of a response. The government has the raw material to make millions of additional doses within weeks, with more to come in the following months. At this time, ASPR is supporting the availability of vaccines if they are needed.

Antivirals

The SNS contains millions of treatment courses of antiviral drugs, including Tamiflu (oseltamivir), an antiviral drug that treats seasonal flu and is expected to work against H5N1. Tamiflu may reduce the severity of infection if the medicine is taken shortly after the patient is symptomatic.

ASPR will make Tamiflu available upon request to jurisdictions that do not have their own stockpiles and are providing resources to support the treatment of symptomatic persons with exposure to birds, cattle, or other animals with confirmed or suspected H5N1 infection. Tamiflu and generic oseltamivir are also available through the normal commercial supply chain.