Remain Vigilant: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Although the risk is low, the CDC has issued a health advisory on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus. For more, read CDC's news release.

• Although human infections with HPAI A(H5N1) virus are rare, having unprotected exposure to any infected animal or to an environment in which infected birds or other animals are or have been present can pose a risk of infection. Therefore, people with work or recreational exposures to H5N1 virus-infected animals may be at increased risk of infection and should follow recommended precautions.

Healthcare providers should consider the possibility of HPAI A(H5N1) virus infection in persons showing signs or symptoms of acute respiratory illness or conjunctivitis who have relevant exposure history.

• MDHHS recommends promoting seasonal influenza vaccines to those at risk of exposure to HPAI to reduce the risk of viral mixing between seasonal and avian strains of influenza that can occur with co-infection.

Provider Resources:

• CDC | Highly Pathogenic and Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza A Viruses

• CDC | Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus in Animals: Interim Recommendations for Prevention, Monitoring, and Public Health Investigations

• MDHHS | Communicable Diseases (A-Z): Search disease listing by "avian."