More pointers that something is stirring in the Chicken Pot

Will influenza H5N1 finally arrive?

Yesterday, we warned readers that UKHSA was cooking something. It is stirring the H5N1 “bird flu” pot with the rest of the world.

H5N1 first appeared in Pubmed in 1997. Interest in the modeller's theme park peaked in  2009 with 827 publications and then picked up again in 2024 with 445 publications so far. 

So, while the UKHSA is buying vaccines with our money, is an influenza H5N1 pandemic on its way?

Is an influenza H5N1 pandemic on its way?

The UKHSA eye of Sauron has now turned to reviewing the evidence.

Incubation and infectious period of influenza A (H5). A rapid evidence summary 

The review aims to identify and summarise evidence relating to the infectious and incubation period of influenza (H5) up to 26 April 2024. “A rapid evidence summary was conducted, following streamlined, systematic methods to accelerate the review process” 
However, what’s the rationale for a rapid review if they sat on the results for eight months?  

The protocol states that the ‘Risk of bias of included studies will not be assessed in this rapid evi…