The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued the attached
Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to inform clinicians, state health
departments, and the public of a recently confirmed human infection with highly
pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus in the United States following
exposure to presumably infected dairy cattle.
This patient is the second person to test positive for HPAI
A(H5N1) virus in the United States. The first case was reported in April 2022 from
Colorado in a person who had contact with poultry that was presumed to be
infected with HPAI A(H5N1) virus. The current risk these viruses pose to the
public remains low. However, people with job-related or recreational exposures
to infected birds, cattle, or other animals are at higher risk of infection and
should take appropriate precautions outlined in
CDC
Recommendations for Farmers; Poultry, Backyard Bird Flock, and Livestock
Owners; and Worker Protection.
Action Items:
·
Clinicians are reminded to report any suspect cases or clusters of respiratory illnesses with recent (within 10 days) relevant exposures prior to illness onset to their local health department
· Local Health Departments are reminded to review resources available on the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) website to assess exposures, determine epidemiologic criteria and promptly report any suspect cases to NJDOH. ?
·
Local health departments are also reminded to refer
to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture for animal health resources
Please contact the Influenza Illness team at cdsfluteam@doh.nj.gov with any
questions regarding this message.?
This information has been broadcast to: Community Organizations; Faith Based Organizations (Monmouth County); Food Banks; Homeless Coalition; Special Needs; Educational Institutions; Colleges/Universities; School Nurse Association; School Nurses (Monmouth County Health Dept.); School Nurses (Monmouth LHD Jurisdiction); School Principals (Monmouth County Health Dept.); School Principals (Monmouth LHD Jurisdiction); School Superintendents (Monmouth County Health Dept.); School Superintendents (Monmouth LHD Jurisdiction); Animal Health Professionals; Animal Control Officers; Veterinarians; Community Health Centers(FQHCs); Emergency Medical Services / First Responders; Health Care Facilities/Other; Behavioral Health Services; Home Care Services; Long Term Care Facilities/Assisted Living; Long Term Care Facilities/Assisted Living (Monmouth County Health Dept.); Health Care Providers; Cardiologists (Monmouth County); Clinics (Monmouth County); Dentists (Monmouth County); Dermatologists (Monmouth County); Family Practice (Monmouth County); General Surgery (Monmouth County); Hematologists/Oncologists (Monmouth County); Infectious Disease (Monmouth County); Internal Medicine (Monmouth County); Neurologists (Monmouth County); Obstetricians/Gynecologists (Monmouth County); Ophthalmologists (Monmouth County); Pediatricians (Monmouth County); Plastic Surgery (Monmouth County); Podiatrists (Monmouth County); Psychiatrists (Monmouth County); Urgent Care (Monmouth County); Hospitals/Acute Care; Hospital CEO; Hospital Emergency Department Director; Hospital Emergency Preparedness Coordinator; Hospital ICU Director; Hospital Infection Control Practitioner; Hospital Medical Director; Hospital Nursing Director; Hospital Quality Liaison; Hospital Safety Officer; Hospital Security Director; Hospitals/Other; Hospitals/Veterans; Labs/Sentinel; Labs (Monmouth County); Pharmaceutical Suppliers; Pharmacists; Always Include (Monmouth County); Local Boards of Health; Local Health Agencies;