Protection from pulmonary tissue damage associated with infection of cynomolgus macaques by highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H5N1) by low dose natural human IFN-α administered to the buccal mucosa.

•Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses cause extensive pulmonary damage.•A low dose oral formulation of natural human interferon-α (Alferon LDO) inhibits H5N1 induced pulmonary damage.•All fatal human cases of H5N1 exhibit Acute Respiratory Disease Syndrome (ARDS).•Emerging highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (H5N1, H7N9, and others) are a major pandemic threat.•Similar results have been observed with type-1 IFN amelioration of pulmonary damage with SARS-CoV.