A biotechnology plant in North Carolina has signed a contract with the federal government to produce up to 5 million doses of avian flu vaccine.
Headquartered in Australia, CSL Seqirus announced that its plant in Holly Springs, North Carolina, has been selected by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) of the Department of Health and Human Services to “complete the supplement and enhancement program for pandemic influenza vaccines, which is part of the U.S. government’s National Pandemic Influenza Vaccine Stockpile (NPIVS) plan.”
According to a statement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a wild bird outbreak of H5N1 avian flu has led to outbreaks in poultry and dairy cattle.
As a result, several dairy workers tested positive for avian flu.
The CDC stated that while the current public health risk is low, they are closely monitoring the situation and working with states to monitor individuals in contact with animals.
Avian flu was detected in 9,373 wild birds, 96.6 million commercial poultry, and 68 dairy cow herds.
In addition, 50 jurisdictions reported wild bird infections, 48 states reported poultry outbreaks, and 9 states reported dairy herd outbreaks.
The CDC reported the second case of avian flu in Michigan.
The CDC stated, “This is the third human case related to the ongoing A(H5N1) multi-state outbreak among U.S. dairy cattle.” “There is no connection between the three human cases. Like the previous two cases (one in Texas and one in Michigan), the patient is a dairy farm worker who had contact with infected dairy cows, providing another potential example of cow-to-human transmission.”
The CDC reported the first human case of avian flu causing acute respiratory disease, describing it as a “more typical presentation of the flu.”
Emergency room visits and human testing have not increased.
The risk to humans remains low as these three cases all involve contact with dairy cows, according to risk assessments.
The CDC stated, “Risk depends on the level of exposure, which in this situation is contact with animals.”
With the risk still low, CSL Seqirus’ Executive Director of Pandemic Management, Marc Lacey stated that the company is “closely monitoring” these cases.
He added that avian flu viruses could pose a serious threat, and the company would work with the government to ensure preparedness.
He said, “This agreement, based on previous agreements with BARDA, will help support the U.S. government’s rapid response to changes in the current avian flu situation.”
This is the fourth contract signed between BARDA and CSL Seqirus as part of their NPIVS influenza testing program.
CSL Seqirus General Manager Dave Ross stated that monitoring, testing, and vaccines are key tools in pandemic prevention.
He said, “As a global leader and proud advocate in pandemic prevention, CSL Seqirus is pleased to have been authorized by BARDA to carry out vaccine supplementation and enhancement contracts.”
The company states on their website that CSL is one of the largest manufacturers of flu vaccines.
Through their research and development, the company “utilizes egg, cell, and adjuvant technologies to provide a wide range of differentiated flu vaccine combinations in over 20 countries globally.”
Their focus areas also include COVID-19, antivenoms, and Q fever vaccines.
The North Carolina plant was established in 2009 through a public-private partnership with BARDA.
The company stated in a press release, “It employs highly scalable production methods and currently has the capacity to provide up to 150 million doses of flu vaccine to support pandemic response within six months of a pandemic declaration.” “Subsequently, a second wave of production can be initiated to provide more pandemic vaccines as needed.”