Report

Institute for Future Strategy Issue Brief, May Vol. 34
“Risk Assessment and Preparedness for an Avian Influenza Pandemic”

This issue brief provides a comprehensive analysis of the viral characteristics of avian influenza (AI), cases of human infection, the potential for pandemic transition, and strategies for prevention and response. Avian influenza originates in birds, its natural hosts, but infection cases have increasingly spread to various mammals and even humans. Recently, human infections transmitted through U.S. dairy cattle have also been reported.

Although human-to-human transmission remains rare, the virus’s high potential for mutation and reassortment means the risk of a pandemic persists, requiring continuous monitoring and proactive strategies. Accordingly, the brief highlights the need for: establishing active surveillance systems for birds and mammals; reinforcing personal protection measures, such as wearing protective equipment when in contact with infected animals; securing avian influenza vaccines and treatments; preparing pre-emptive measures including the development of human-use vaccines; and strengthening a government-wide One Health system capable of jointly addressing animal and human infectious diseases.

Keywords
Avian influenza, human infection, pandemic risk, surveillance and prevention, vaccine development, One Health