Reacción a "An antiviral already on the market could be more effective than oseltamivir (Tamiflu) against avian influenza"

In March 2024, an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype H5N1 was reported for the first time in cattle (dairy cows) in the USA. These outbreaks have spread throughout the USA, with multiple cases reported in other mammals and humans. The virus has been detected in cow's milk, which has been described as a possible route of transmission.

In this excellent piece of work, led by researcher Richard Webby, mice were infected with milk contaminated with the H5N1 virus using various routes of inoculation (oral, nasal and ocular), mimicking the possible routes of exposure to the virus. The mice were then treated with two antivirals with proven effectiveness against influenza, including the H5N1 subtype, known as oseltamivir and baloxavir. These antivirals are approved for use in humans.

The data indicate that orally infected mice were more difficult to treat, and the authors suggest that this may be related to the rapid spread of the virus in the gastrointestinal tract. Treatment with baloxavir was shown to be more effective than treatment with oseltamivir, although other studies had already pointed in this direction.

This careful study is important as it provides preclinical data on the efficacy of two antivirals against the H5N1 subtype, which continues to spread across the planet and represents a real pandemic threat, so we must be prepared.