Highly Pathogenic Avian #Influenza A(#H5N1) Virus #Infection of Indoor Domestic #Cats Within #Dairy Industry #Worker #Households

Highly Pathogenic Avian #Influenza A(#H5N1) Virus #Infection of Indoor Domestic #Cats Within #Dairy Industry #Worker #Households — #Michigan, May 2024

Summary

-- What is already known about this topic?

- Outdoor cats on U.S. dairy farms have been infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus; infection has not been reported in indoor cats.

-- What is added by this report?

- HPAI A(H5N1) virus was detected in two indoor domestic cats with respiratory and neurologic illness that lived in homes of dairy workers but had no known direct exposure to HPAI A(H5N1)–affected farms. Both dairy workers declined testing; other household members received negative test results for influenza A.

-- What are the implications for public health practice?

- Veterinarians in states with confirmed HPAI A(H5N1) in livestock should consider obtaining household occupational information, testing for influenza A viruses, and wearing personal protective equipment when evaluating companion cats with respiratory or neurologic illness. Suspected cases should be reported to public and animal health officials.

Abstract

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus, clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype B3.13 infection has been documented in cats on U.S. dairy cattle farms. In May 2024, the detection of HPAI A(H5N1) virus infection in two cats that were reported to be exclusively indoor, and that had respiratory and neurologic illness in different households, prompted an investigation by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Mid-Michigan District Health Department (MDHHS/MMDHD). The cats’ owners and household members were interviewed and offered testing for influenza A(H5) virus. The owner of one cat worked on a dairy farm but declined A(H5) testing; three other household members received negative A(H5) test results. The owner of the other cat lived alone and worked on multiple dairy farms transporting unpasteurized milk; this worker also reported getting splashed in the face and eyes by unpasteurized milk but declined A(H5) testing. Both workers were employed in a county known by MDHHS/MMDHD to have HPAI A(H5N1) virus, clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype B3.13–positive dairy cattle. In states with confirmed HPAI A(H5N1) in livestock, veterinary care can be aided if veterinarians obtain household members’ occupational information, especially when evaluating cats with signs of respiratory or neurologic illness. If occupational exposure to HPAI A(H5N1)-infected livestock is identified among cat owners, and their companion cats are suspected to have HPAI A(H5N1) virus infection, it is important that veterinarians contact state and federal public health and animal health officials to collaborate on joint One Health investigations and testing to protect human and animal health.

Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/wr/mm7405a2.htm?s_cid=mm7405a2_e&ACSTrackingID=USCDC_921-DM145231&ACSTrackingLabel=This%20Week%20in%20MMWR%3A%20Vol.%2074%2C%20February%2020%2C%202025&deliveryName=USCDC_921-DM145231

_____

#Neuroinvasive #Oropouche virus in a patient with #HIV from extra-Amazonian #Brazil

{Excerpt} A novel reassortant Oropouche virus (OROV) lineage (with medium [M], large [L], and small [S] RNA segments : M1L2S2) has driven Brazil's largest and most geographically widespread OROV epidemic , expanding beyond the endemic Amazon basin to establish local transmission across multiple Brazilian states and other previously unaffected Latin American countries . The rapid spread of this lineage underscores its evolutionary potential and reinforces its significance as a public health threat .1 Similar to chikungunya and Zika viruses, expanding arboviruses can exhibit unexpected clinical and epidemiological shifts , including vertical transmissions , neuroinvasive effects, and potentially fatal outcomes.2–4 Although OROV typically causes self-limited febrile illness, accumulating clinical and experimental evidence suggests neurotropic potential .5 This Correspondence describes the first confirmed case of neuroinvasive OROV infection caused by the emergent M1L2S2 lineage in ext...

Stability of #influenza viruses in the #milk of #cows and #sheep

Abstract In late 2023, H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAIV) started circulating in dairy cattle in the USA . High viral titres were detected in milk from infected cows , raising concerns about onwards human infections . Although pasteurisation was shown to effectively inactivate influenza viruses in milk, unpasteurised milk still poses a risk of infection, both from occupational exposure in dairies and from the consumption of raw milk. We therefore assessed how long influenza viruses could remain infectious for in milk without heat inactivation. We examined the stability of a panel of influenza viruses in milk , including a contemporary H5N1 HPAIV and a variety of other influenza A and D viruses. We incubated viruses in cows' milk under laboratory conditions : at room temperature to simulate exposure in dairies and at 4°C to simulate exposure to refrigerated raw milk. Following an isolated report of H5N1 viral RNA being detected in milk from a sheep in the UK , we also c...

#Evidence of #Viremia in Dairy #Cows Naturally Infected with #Influenza A {#H5N1} Virus, #California, #USA

Abstract We confirmed influenza A virus (IAV) by PCR in serum from 18 cows on 3 affected dairy farms in California, USA . Our findings indicate the presence of viremia and might help explain IAV transmission dynamics and shedding patterns in cows. An understanding of those dynamics could enable development of IAV mitigation strategies. Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/7/25-0134_article ____

ETIDIOH - NEW

Search This Blog