tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Emerg Infect Dis
. 2024 Dec 12;31(1).
doi: 10.3201/eid3101.241343. Online ahead of print.
Systematic Review of Avian Influenza Virus Infection and Outcomes during Pregnancy
Rachael Purcell, Michelle L Giles, Nigel W Crawford, Jim Buttery
Human cases of avian influenza A(H5N2) and A(H5N1) viruses associated with outbreaks in birds and mammals are increasing globally, raising concerns about the possibility of a future avian influenza pandemic. We conducted a systematic review examining 30 reported cases of avian influenza in pregnant women. We found high mortality rates for mothers (90.0%, 27/30) and their babies (86.7%, 26/30) when women were infected with avian influenza virus during pregnancy. Despite being a high-risk population and having worse health outcomes across multiple pandemics, pregnant women are often excluded from vaccine trials. However, as the risk for a new pandemic increases and human vaccines against avian influenza are developed, early inclusion of pregnant women in clinical trials can inform the risk-benefit analysis for both the mother and their newborn infant. Early inclusion of pregnant women in public health vaccination programs is vital for protecting this high-risk population.
Keywords: Australia; avian influenza virus; infection; influenza; pandemic; pregnancy; respiratory infections; vaccination; viruses; zoonoses.
. 2024 Dec 12;31(1).
doi: 10.3201/eid3101.241343. Online ahead of print.
Systematic Review of Avian Influenza Virus Infection and Outcomes during Pregnancy
Rachael Purcell, Michelle L Giles, Nigel W Crawford, Jim Buttery
- PMID: 39668388
- DOI: 10.3201/eid3101.241343
Human cases of avian influenza A(H5N2) and A(H5N1) viruses associated with outbreaks in birds and mammals are increasing globally, raising concerns about the possibility of a future avian influenza pandemic. We conducted a systematic review examining 30 reported cases of avian influenza in pregnant women. We found high mortality rates for mothers (90.0%, 27/30) and their babies (86.7%, 26/30) when women were infected with avian influenza virus during pregnancy. Despite being a high-risk population and having worse health outcomes across multiple pandemics, pregnant women are often excluded from vaccine trials. However, as the risk for a new pandemic increases and human vaccines against avian influenza are developed, early inclusion of pregnant women in clinical trials can inform the risk-benefit analysis for both the mother and their newborn infant. Early inclusion of pregnant women in public health vaccination programs is vital for protecting this high-risk population.
Keywords: Australia; avian influenza virus; infection; influenza; pandemic; pregnancy; respiratory infections; vaccination; viruses; zoonoses.