Bird Flu Updates: Mass.-based Moderna could be first to manufacture bird flu vaccine (Feb 3, 2025)

Hi 👋

Here's your latest in-depth bird flu news roundup. Today’s a short one. You can also check out our live situation dashboard at birdfluwatcher.com for real-time news summary.

Hit reply if you have any feedback for us 😊 

In This Update

• Latest Developments

• Scientific Research & Developments

• Economic Impacts

Latest Developments

• There are concerns about the theoretical possibility of the bird flu becoming airborne in humans, and it’s hard to predict when, though current strains are not adapted for human-to-human spread. [Source]

• Several hundred dead ducks suspected of avian flu were found along Lake Michigan in Chicago, sparking concerns. [Source] Iowa confirmed its second case of 2025 in a commercial layer flock in O'Brien County. [Source] Highly pathogenic avian influenza was also detected in a commercial flock in Worcester County, Maryland [Source] and in dairy cattle in northern Nevada. [Source]

Scientific Research & Developments

• Moderna is working towards being the first to manufacture a bird flu vaccine. [Source]

• University of Pittsburgh researchers developed a promising antibody effective against mutating influenza strains, with potential for vaccine development to prevent severe H5N1 infections. [Source]

• The Iowa governor called for increased funding for vaccine development against avian flu and other foreign animal diseases. [Source]

Economic Impacts

• Why a deadly strain of bird flu is making egg prices soar nationwide. [Source]

• Restaurant owners are paying twice the normal cost for eggs due to supply shortages. [Source]

Stay safe and informed!

Jennifer