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#USA, Novel Influenza A #H5N1 Virus, four new cases detected in week 50/2024 {2 in #California, 1 in #Louisiana, 1 in #Delaware} (US #CDC FluView)

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By G.M.

{Excerpt}

Three confirmed cases and one probable influenza A(H5) case were reported to CDC this week. 

To date, human-to-human transmission of influenza A(H5) virus has not been identified in the United States.

Two of these confirmed cases were reported by the California Department of Public Health. The cases occurred in a workers aged ≥18 years at a commercial dairy cattle farm in an area where highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) viruses had been detected in cows. The individuals had mild symptoms, which they reported to local health department officials. There have now been 34 total confirmed cases and one probable case in California.

The other confirmed case was reported by the Louisiana Department of Health. This case occurred in an individual aged ≥18 years. This individual developed respiratory symptoms during week 48 and was hospitalized with their illness. A respiratory specimen was collected at the healthcare facility and tested positive for influenza A, but negative for seasonal virus subtypes. The specimen was sent to the Louisiana Public Health Laboratory for further testing, where it tested presumptive positive for influenza A(H5) virus using the CDC influenza A(H5) assay. Influenza A(H5) virus was confirmed at CDC. The investigation by public health officials identified exposure to backyard poultry prior to the patient's illness onset. The patient remains hospitalized. This is the first influenza A(H5) case in Louisiana and the first instance of severe illness from influenza A(H5) virus infection in the United States.

The probable case was reported by the Delaware Division of Public Health. The case occurred in an individual aged ≥18 years. This individual developed respiratory symptoms during week 48 and sought healthcare for their illness. A respiratory specimen was collected at the healthcare facility and tested positive for influenza A. The specimen was sent to the Delaware Public Health Laboratory for routine surveillance, where it tested presumptive positive for influenza A(H5) virus using the CDC influenza A(H5) assay. The specimen was negative for influenza A(H5) virus using diagnostic RT-PCR at CDC. The investigation by public health officials did not find any exposure to poultry or cows or consumption of raw dairy products prior to the patient's illness onset. The patient has since recovered. This is the first probable case in Delaware.

Notification of the case reported by the Louisiana Department of Health to WHO was initiated per International Health Regulations (IHR). More information regarding IHR can be found at http://www.who.int/topics/international_health_regulations/en/. 

No additional notification to WHO of the probable case or confirmed cases exposed to dairy cows in California is required per International Health Regulations (IHR).

The CSTE position statement, which includes updated case definitions for confirmed, probable, and suspected cases is available at http://www.cste.org/resource/resmgr/position_statements_files_2023/24-ID-09_Novel_Influenza_A.pdf

An up-to-date human case summary during the 2024 outbreak by state and exposure source is available at www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/index.html

Information about avian influenza is available at https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/index.htm.

Interim recommendations for Prevention, Monitoring, and Public Health Investigations are available at https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/prevention/hpai-interim-recommendations.html.

The latest case reports on avian influenza outbreaks in wild birds, commercial poultry, backyard or hobbyist flocks, and mammals in the United States are available from the USDA at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/avian-influenza/2022-hpai.

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Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/fluview/surveillance/2024-week-50.html

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