Pandemic Treaty Alert: WHO’s New Global Powers Amid H5N1 Scare

Ominous Warnings About H5N1 Pandemic Amid WHO Pandemic Treaty Vote

Health officials are issuing dire warnings about the potential for an H5N1 bird flu pandemic among humans. These alerts come as the World Health Organization (WHO) prepares to vote on the global pandemic treaty at the 77th World Health Assembly at the end of this month. The treaty, if passed, will grant the WHO significantly more authority than it had during the last pandemic, raising concerns about how this power might be used in future health crises.

Growing Concerns Over Bird Flu

Recently, two more human cases of bird flu have been confirmed. If the H5N1 virus mutates into a form that spreads easily from human to human, it could cause widespread panic and a potentially catastrophic death toll. This possibility raises critical questions about what extreme measures the WHO might institute.

Finalizing the Global Pandemic Treaty

Negotiators have been working intensely to finalize the global pandemic treaty. According to the official WHO website, governments have agreed to continue working on a proposed pandemic agreement and to further refine the draft ahead of the Seventy-seventh World Health Assembly starting on May 27, 2024.

Governments meeting at the WHO headquarters in Geneva have agreed to resume hybrid and in-person discussions over the coming weeks to advance work on critical issues, including a new global system for pathogen access and benefits sharing, pandemic prevention, One Health, and the financial coordination needed to scale up countries’ capacities to prepare for and respond to pandemics.

Lack of Media Coverage in the U.S.

In the United States, mainstream media has been unusually quiet about this treaty, despite its significant implications. Negotiations have been ongoing for the past two years, and the plan is to submit the final draft for a vote at the World Health Assembly at the end of this month. The Member State-led Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB), established over two years ago, is guiding this process and will submit its outcome for consideration at the Assembly.

Expert Opinions and Historical Context

INB Bureau Co-Chair Dr. Precious Matsoso of South Africa noted the progress made during the latest discussions on a wide range of issues in the draft agreement. “We are witnessing history play out before our eyes during this process, with the coming together of all countries to decide a binding pact to protect all citizens of the world,” said Matsoso. “This is not a simple exercise. This is the first-ever process to develop a proposed agreement on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. Getting this done means getting it right, and the INB Bureau is committed to helping finalize a meaningful, lasting agreement.”

Upcoming Vote and Implications

The 77th World Health Assembly will be held in Geneva, Switzerland from May 27 to June 1. Member nations will cast their votes on the final draft of the global pandemic treaty, which is expected to pass. Although there are claims that the treaty has been "watered down," the reality is that the language has merely been made more vague. If the treaty is approved, the WHO will take the lead in managing the next pandemic, a fact that many people are unaware of.

Recent Bird Flu Cases and Potential Threats

The potential threat of an H5N1 pandemic is growing. On Wednesday, the CDC announced another confirmed human case of bird flu in the United States. The case involved a Michigan dairy farm worker, marking the second instance of bird flu in a dairy worker this year. The virus appears to have developed under similar circumstances to an earlier case in Texas.

Despite these cases, many dairy workers are reluctant to get tested due to fears over job loss, immigration status, language barriers, and general distrust in public health systems. Additionally, four more cats in the U.S. have died from H5N1, including two pets in South Dakota with no links to poultry or dairy cows. This troubling development suggests that the virus could spread more widely among animals, potentially increasing the risk to humans.

Global Impact and Future Pandemics

If cats are dying from H5N1, it is likely only a matter of time before humans start experiencing similar outcomes. Reports indicate that cats that died from H5N1 in Texas suffered from brain hemorrhaging and blindness. The question remains whether H5N1 could cause similar damage in humans.

In Australia, a child has been confirmed as the first case of H5N1 bird flu. The child contracted the virus in India and fell ill in March. This case, along with the detection of bird flu on a farm in Victoria, Australia, raises further concerns.

Since 2003, more than 50 percent of humans who tested positive for H5N1 have died. The potential for widespread fear and chaos if millions of people become infected is immense.

Conclusion

Global pestilences will likely play a significant role in the chaotic era ahead. The panic witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic could pale in comparison to the fear generated by a pandemic with a higher death rate. The implications of the global pandemic treaty and the growing threat of H5N1 underscore the urgent need for preparedness and vigilant monitoring.