#17,497
For the past dozen or so years we've seen sporadic individual infections with swine-variant viruses (H1N1v, H1N2v, H3N2v), along with a number of outbreaks associated with agricultural fairs and swine exhibits.
While fewer than 500 cases have been reported, that number is believed to be a substantial undercount, since most people are never tested for mild or moderate flu-like illnesses.
During a small outbreak of H3N2v (n=13) a dozen years ago, researchers estimated that fewer than 1 in every 200 community cases was identified (see CID Journal: Estimates Of Human Infection From H3N2v (Jul 2011-Apr 2012).
Luckily, swine-variant flu viruses don't appear to spread very well between humans, although that could easily change over time. Once again, with the resumption of county fairs and agricultural exhibits this summer, we'll be on watch for occasional spillovers of swine-variant viruses into humans.
Complicating matters - this year we have the added concern of HPAI H5 viruses - which have become endemic in wild birds, and have spilled over into numerous mammals (including cats and dogs), over the past year.
Since H5 infections in humans can range from producing mild or asymptomatic illness to severe and life-threatening symptoms, clinicians may have difficulty identifying cases as anything other than a common `flu virus'.
We've seen a number of reports (particularly from the UK) on the difficulties of identifying novel flu cases (see UK Novel Flu Surveillance: Quantifying TTD), with estimates it would take between 3 and 10 weeks and anywhere between a few dozen to a few thousand infections before community spread would become apparent.
In hopes of reducing this TTD (Time To Detection), the CDC will hold a COCA Call webinar next Tuesday (June 20th) on identifying, treating, and reporting zoonotic influenza infections. Given the amount of interest, I expect this will be a well attended event.
These presentations are often technical, and are of greatest interest to clinicians and healthcare providers, but also may be of interest to the general public. As always, If you are unable to attend the live presentation, these (and past) webinars are archived and available for later viewing at this LINK.
Details on the presentation follow:
What Providers Need to Know about Zoonotic Influenza
= Free Continuing Education
Overview
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to emphasize the importance of ongoing surveillance to detect human infections with novel influenza A viruses, including highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus. A(H5N1) viruses continue to spread among wild birds and poultry in the United States and many regions of the world. Surveillance can also identify human infections with swine influenza A viruses, which are referred to as variant influenza A virus infections. These sporadic infections typically occur during the summer and early fall after exposures to pigs at agricultural fairs. Given the pandemic risk posed by novel influenza A virus infections, healthcare providers should remain alert to the possibility of human infections with influenza viruses that can spread between animals and people.
During this COCA call, presenters will give a comprehensive overview of novel influenza A viruses, focused on avian influenza A(H5N1) virus and variant influenza viruses. They will discuss CDC’s guidance for clinicians on testing, specimen collection, and antiviral treatment for people with suspected or confirmed infections. Presenters will also address patient exposure histories and review questions to ask patients to help guide clinical diagnosis and testing for novel influenza A virus infections.
Presenters
Charles (Todd) Davis, PhD, MPH
Deputy Branch Chief for Science
Influenza Division
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Tim Uyeki MD, MPH, MPP
Chief Medical Officer
Influenza Division
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Call Materials
To be posted. Please check back.
Call Details
When:
Tuesday, June 20, 2023,
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET
Webinar Link:
https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1607939030
Webinar ID: 160 793 9030
Passcode: 134547
Telephone:
+1 646 828 7666 US (New York)
One-tap mobile:
+16692545252,,1607939030#,,,,*134547# US (San Jose)
+16468287666,,1607939030#,,,,*134547# US (New York)
International numbers
