A comprehensive review of bird flu cases has revealed that 90% of pregnant women who contract the virus do not survive, and nearly all of their unborn children perish as well, The Guardian reported Monday. The study, conducted by researchers at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute in Melbourne, examined more than 1,500 research papers to identify confirmed cases of bird flu in pregnant women.
Dr. Rachael Purcell, an infectious diseases researcher at the institute, told The Guardian that while many people infected with avian influenza recover completely, the team specifically investigated its impact on pregnant women. "A pregnant woman's immune system doesn't work in the same way as it does prior to pregnancy," Purcell said. The research, published in Emerging Infectious Diseases, analyzed 30 confirmed cases across China, Vietnam, Cambodia and the United States involving different strains and outbreaks. The findings showed that 87% of unborn babies did not survive, with most surviving infants born prematurely.
The highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) virus, which causes severe bird flu, continues to spread globally, primarily affecting poultry and wild birds. While human infections remain rare and typically occur among those working closely with infected birds and livestock, some regions, including China and the United States, have reported increasing cases.
Purcell emphasized to The Guardian that pregnant women are often excluded from vaccine trials and experience delayed access to public health vaccination programs despite being a high-risk population. Currently, no specific vaccines exist for avian influenza in humans, though some countries have developed trial vaccines for pandemic preparedness.
Associate Prof. Sanjaya Senanayake, an infectious diseases specialist at the Australian National University, noted that while the study's sample size was small, it reflected the limited human exposure to avian influenza, which typically requires direct contact with poultry. The findings come as Australia, the only continent still free of the deadliest bird flu strain, recently announced a $95 million investment to prepare for potential avian influenza outbreaks.
