Sydney, Dec 20 (V7N) – A groundbreaking study by the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) in Melbourne has revealed a staggering 90% mortality rate for pregnant women who contract bird flu. Published on Friday, the research underscores the urgent need for prioritizing pregnant women in pandemic preparedness and vaccination programs.

The study systematically reviewed over 1,500 research papers and analyzed 30 reported cases of bird flu infections in pregnant women. Of these cases:

27 of the women succumbed to the disease.

This reflects a 90% mortality rate, highlighting the severe risks posed by bird flu, particularly the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) strains H5N1 and H5N2.

The research coincides with rising global cases of human infections linked to HPAI outbreaks.

The authors of the study emphasized that pregnant women, despite being a high-risk group, are frequently excluded from vaccine trials and often face delays in access to public health vaccination programs.

Rachael Purcell, a co-author, stated:

 "A paradigm shift is required to routinely include pregnant women in pandemic preparedness programs to avoid preventable deaths."

The findings highlight the need for immediate policy changes to protect this vulnerable group, particularly during pandemics.

This study serves as a wake-up call for global health authorities to:

Prioritize pregnant women in vaccine trials and public health initiatives.

Integrate them into pandemic preparedness plans from the outset.

Increase awareness of the heightened risks of bird flu for expecting mothers.

As human cases of HPAI continue to rise, these recommendations could save countless lives in the future.

END/WD/RH