Recently, A new project aiming to accelerate the development and accessibility of human avian influenza (H5N1) messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine candidates for manufacturers in low- and middle-income countries has been launched. 

• This will be done through mRNA Technology Transfer Programme (MTTP) of WHO, which will supplement the ongoing work under the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework.

About Avian Influenza A H5N1 Bird Flu

• H5N1 is a type of influenza virus that causes severe respiratory disease in birds.
• Transmission: Humans are also at risk but they rarely contract bird flu. 
  • Most of the cases of human infection involve people who have. prolonged or close exposure to H5N1-infected animals such as farm/poultry workers, are at a higher risk. 
• Cases of Human Infection: Human infections with H5N1 were first reported in 1997 during a poultry outbreak in Hong Kong.
• Treatment: The antiviral Oseltamivir
  • There are also vaccine candidates that have been developed, but not readily available, for H5N1.
• Potential of Pandemic: Avian influenza is not on the WHO priority list of pathogens of pandemic potential.

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About mRNA

• Messenger RNA (abbreviated mRNA) is a type of single-stranded RNA involved in protein synthesis. mRNA is made from a DNA template during the process of transcription. 
• The role of mRNA is to carry protein information from the DNA in a cell’s nucleus to the cell’s cytoplasm (watery interior), where the protein-making machinery reads the mRNA sequence and translates each three-base codon into its corresponding amino acid in a growing protein chain.

mRNA (messenger RNA) Vaccine Technology 

• It represents a revolutionary approach to preventing infectious diseases and has garnered significant attention, especially for its role in combating COVID-19. 
• Working: This technology involves using synthetic mRNA to instruct cells to produce proteins that trigger an immune response.

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