#18,120
With the notable exception of Canada, the unprecedented spillover of HPAI H5 into dairy cows in the United States has been treated by the rest of the world as an `American' problem. They view the B3.13 genotype, responsible for these infections, as unlikely to spread internationally.
The UK HAIRS report of 2 weeks ago was confident enough to state:
" . . . mastitis cases are not routinely tested for AI viruses as there has never been any evidence to suggest a testing requirement. "
"There is currently no surveillance in dairy workers for AI A(H5N1)."
"The only clinical sign in the USA human case was conjunctivitis, and while this is known to be a possible symptom of human infection with A(H5N1), it is unlikely that cases of conjunctivitis would be tested for AI A(H5N1).
Last week, however, Chinese researchers warned that another genotype/mutation could emerge somewhere else in the world with a similar ability to infect livestock.
Today, Taiwan's CDC announced new case definitions for the investigation of novel flu infections based on America's recent experience with infected cattle.
(translation)
The CDC has revised the definition of new influenza A notification to include "eligible for acute respiratory infection or acute conjunctivitis with a history of animal exposure to avian influenza A(H5N1)" and will implement it from June 15, 113
Published: 2024-06-13
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said today (13) that in order to effectively monitor the epidemic situation of new influenza A in China, the definition of new influenza A notification has been revised to add new conditions that meet the requirements of acute respiratory infection or acute conjunctivitis and have a history of contact with avian influenza A (H5N1) animals, which will be implemented from June 15.
According to the CDC, in response to the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) in dairy farms in the United States this year and its transmission to humans, the CDC invited the Ministry of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration and relevant experts to convene a meeting of the Influenza Prevention and Control Group of the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Advisory Committee on May 13, 113 this year to conduct an inventory and discussion on the prevention and treatment of new influenza A in China, and made the above recommendations for revising the definition of cases.
The CDC explained that the definition of new influenza A infectious disease cases and the items for collection and inspection of epidemic prevention samples were revised this time, adding acute conjunctivitis to clinical conditions, and those who have a history of contact with avian influenza A (H5N1) animal epidemics within 10 days of epidemiological conditions, and added "those who meet the requirements of acute respiratory infection or acute conjunctivitis and have a history of contact with avian influenza A (H5N1) animal epidemics"; In addition, "conjunctival swab" has been added to the test items, which is suitable for patients with symptoms of acute conjunctivitis (such as attachments).
Clinicians are requested to be vigilant, ask about the TOCC (including travel history, occupation, contact history, and whether they are in groups) of the recorded cases during the consultation, and collect and report the cases that meet the definition of notification.
If you have been in contact with an animal that is confirmed to be suffering from avian influenza, and if you have symptoms of acute respiratory infection (such as fever above 38°C, cough, etc.) or acute conjunctivitis within 10 days after the last exposure, please wear a mask and seek medical attention as soon as possible, and inform the doctor of the animal contact history.
While these changes are relatively minor, they should increase the chances of detecting spillover cases, and that could pay huge dividends down the road.
Hopefully other countries will take note, and do the same.
