Inmaculada Casas

Avian influenza has returned to Spain this summer. In addition to a few cases in wild birds, since 18 July there have been several outbreaks in poultry in different autonomous communities, causing the country to lose its disease-free status. To answer questions about the situation, its possible causes, evolution and consequences, SMC Spain organised an information session with researchers Inmaculada Casas, Ursula Höfle and Elisa Pérez Ramírez.

The influenza epidemic could have reached its peak of activity in Primary Care in the last week of 2023, while hospitalization due to influenza continues to rise, according to the latest weekly SiVIRA report published by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Thus, during the first week of 2024 there has been a decrease in the primary care rate for influenza: 387 cases per 100,000 inhabitants compared to 430 cases the previous week. This is the first decrease in incidence in four weeks.

A study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine shows the results of a phase 1 trial of a new broad-spectrum influenza vaccine. Prepared in the form of nanoparticles containing the H1 hemagglutinin stem-a region that is often conserved in different subtypes of the virus-the vaccine was generally well tolerated by participants, who showed only mild side effects such as tenderness and headaches. The prototype generated an antibody response to group 1 influenza viruses in all age groups.

In the last few days, data, preprints, press releases and even graphs have started to arrive via social media showing how neutralising antibodies against the omicron variant behave. These studies are preliminary and we will have to wait and see how these lab data translate into the real world.