WHO Declares Global Health Emergency Over Novel Avian Influenza H...

The World Health Organisation declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern after a novel avian influenza strain designated H5N9 was confirmed in 31 countries, with sustained human-to-human transmission detected in clusters across Vietnam, Indonesia, and Nigeria. The H5N9 strain has a recorded case fatality rate of 22% among hospitalised patients, significantly higher than seasonal influenza. India National Centre for Disease Control activated its Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme emergency protocols and confirmed no domestic cases as of the declaration date, while quarantine screening was enhanced at all 32 international airports. WHO Director-General declared that the window for containment is narrow and urged wealthy nations to immediately share vaccine manufacturing capacities with low-income countries. India Serum Institute of India confirmed it can produce 500 million doses of H5N9 vaccine candidate within eight months of receiving an approved seed strain.