A colorized transmission electron micrograph of Avian influenza A H5N1- Cynthia Goldsmith
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Just about 24 hours after the news broke of North America’s first imported case of H5N1 (see Alberta Canada Reports Fatal (Imported) H5N1 Infection) the World Health Organization has published an update on their GAR (Global Alert & Response) page.
While this update doesn’t add a whole lot we didn’t already know, it does confirm that close contacts, including healthcare workers, are receiving PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis) antivirals, and to date, all contacts remain asymptomatic.
The idea behind PEP is that once someone is identified as having a novel influenza virus, that those people who have been exposed to the patient are given a 10-day prophylactic course of antiviral medications. PEP is also often used to protect poultry cullers who may be exposed when disposing of infected birds.
For more on how antivirals like oseltamivir can be used to prevent infection after exposure, you wish to revisit my 2008 blog Pandemic PEP Talk.
Human infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) virus - update
Disease outbreak news
9 January 2014 - WHO has been informed by Canada of a laboratory-confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) virus in a previously healthy adult, who was first symptomatic on 27 December 2013 and died 3 January 2014.
The person visited Beijing, China, from 6 to 27 December 2013 and returned to Canada on 27 December 2013. The individual was symptomatic during travel with malaise and feeling feverish. The person travelled with one other individual who is well.
Laboratory test was conducted at the Alberta Provincial Lab and confirmed by Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory.
The person had no known exposure to poultry or other animals, nor to ill individuals.
Close contacts, including household contacts and health care workers, are under observation and have received antiviral post-exposure prophylaxis. All contacts have been asymptomatic to date. Follow-up of the airline passengers is also ongoing.
This is the first case of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) virus reported in Canada and the first confirmed human case in the Americas Region.
Globally there have been a total of 649 cases and 385 deaths reported, including this latest case.
WHO does not advise special screening at points of entry with regard to this event, nor does it recommend any travel or trade restrictions.
