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#Seroprevalence of Highly Pathogenic Avian #Influenza A(#H5) Virus #Infections Among Bovine #Veterinary #Practitioners — #USA, September 2024

Summary

-- What is already known about this topic?

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) virus infections have been detected in humans exposed to infected dairy cattle.

-- What is added by this report?

Public health officials conducted a serosurvey among 150 bovine veterinary practitioners. Three practitioners had evidence of recent infection with HPAI A(H5) virus, including two without exposures to animals with known or suspected HPAI A(H5) virus infections and one who did not practice in a U.S. state with known HPAI A(H5) virus–infected cattle.

-- What are the implications for public health practice?

These findings suggest the possible benefit of systematic surveillance for rapid identification of HPAI A(H5) virus in dairy cattle, milk, and humans who are exposed to cattle to ensure appropriate hazard assessments.


Abstract

The current outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) clade 2.3.4.4.b viruses, genotype B3.13, among dairy cattle was first detected in March 2024 (1), with human cases of HPAI A(H5) among dairy farm workers identified beginning in April (2). Farm workers and bovine veterinary practitioners working with HPAI A(H5) virus–infected cattle are at increased risk for HPAI A(H5) exposure; in the current outbreak, most human infections with HPAI A(H5) have been mild and were detected through enhanced surveillance of persons working with affected animals (2).

Source: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/wr/mm7404a2.htm?s_cid=mm7404a2_w

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