[cobirds] Fwd: PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza, human (14): Americas (USA) H5N1

I received this from a listserve for the Project for Monitoring Emerging Diseases (ProMED). It contains useful information related to the epidemic of avian flu in wild birds and poultry and the low risk of infection in humans in Colorado. I've observed several dead pelicans and gulls in Larimer County in recent days. 



 From: ProMED <promed@isid.org> 

Sent: Friday, April 29, 2022 3:56 PM
To: Komar, Nick (CDC/DDID/NCEZID/DVBD) <nck6@cdc.gov>
Subject: PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza, human (14): Americas (USA) H5N1

 

AVIAN INFLUENZA, HUMAN (14): AMERICAS (USA) H5N1
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A ProMED-mail post
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Date: Thu 28 Apr 2022 21:46 EDT
Source: KKTV [edited]
https://www.kktv.com/2022/04/29/colorado-man-tests-positive-h5-bird-flu-1st-human-case-us-cdc-reports-public-health-risk-assessment-remains-low/


The 1st human case associated with the H5 bird flu in the United
States was detected in a Colorado man. The Centers for Disease Control
[and Prevention] (CDC) shared information on the case with the public
on Thursday [28 Apr 2022], adding the "public health risk assessment
remains low." The CDC adds people who have job-related or recreational
exposures to infected birds are at a higher risk of infection and
should take appropriate precautions.

The CDC has been monitoring people exposed to H5N1 virus-infected
birds since the outbreaks were first detected in wild birds and
poultry in late 2021. To date [28 Apr 2022], H5N1 viruses have been
found in US commercial and backyard birds in 29 states and in wild
birds in 34 states. CDC has tracked the health of more than 2500
people with exposures to H5N1 virus-infected birds, and this is the
only case that has been found to date. Other people involved in the
culling operation in Colorado have tested negative for H5 virus
infection, but they are being tested again out of an abundance of
caution. Several wild birds have tested positive for the virus in
Colorado.

"This is the 2nd human case associated with this specific group of H5
viruses that are currently predominant, and the 1st case in the United
States," part of a news release from the CDC reads. "The 1st case
internationally occurred in December 2021 in the United Kingdom in a
person who did not have any symptoms and who raised birds that became
infected with H5N1 virus. More than 880 human infections with earlier
H5N1 viruses have been reported since 2003 worldwide, however, the
predominant H5N1 viruses now circulating among birds globally are
different from earlier H5N1 viruses."

The 40-year-old man who tested positive was isolating as of Thursday
[28 Apr 2022], as he was only experiencing fatigue. The Colorado
Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is reporting the
positive result is due to direct exposure to infected poultry at a
commercial farm in Montrose County. The person, who is an inmate at a
state correctional facility in Delta County, was working with poultry
as part of a pre-release employment program where participants have
the opportunity to work for private employers and be paid a prevailing
wage. The affected flock has been euthanized and disposed of under the
guidance of the USDA and CDA. All members of the response team,
including other inmate workers, were provided personal protective
equipment while working on the farm.

"We want to reassure Coloradans that the risk to them is low," said
Dr. Rachel Herlihy, state epidemiologist, Colorado Department of
Public Health and Environment. "I am grateful for the seamless
collaboration between CDC, Department of Corrections, Department of
Agriculture, and CDPHE, as we continue to monitor this virus and
protect all Coloradans." CDPHE adds human infections of the H5 viruses
are rare.

[Byline: Tony Keith]

--
Communicated by:
Ryan McGinnis
ryan@digicana.com

[The above report mentions the 1st human case of avian influenza
A/H5N1 in the United States. The 1st human case with this specific
virus group was reported in December 2021 in the UK. The predominant
H5N1 viruses now circulating among birds globally are different from
earlier H5N1 viruses. The case had a history of direct exposure to
poultry.

Typically human cases of zoonotic/avian influenza viruses are preceded
by outbreaks in poultry; there have been numerous outbreaks of avian
influenza A/H5N1 in USA and Canada, with loss of over 31 million birds
in the US commercial poultry industry in 2022
(https://www.wattagnet.com/blogs/27-agrifood-angle/post/44969-breaking-down-us-avian-flu-cases-by-flock-type).

Mod.TG comments: "As one looks through the postings of the rampage of
avian influenza, it becomes abundantly clear this virus is sweeping
through the country like a grim reaper. The virus is merciless to both
domestic birds and some species of wild birds in the USA and Canada.

"Destroyed bird counts are increasingly going up. This means live bird
counts are going down, affecting eggs and meat birds and decreasing
wildlife. As dead bird counts mount, the cost is rising in the grocery
stores, and in the cost of replacement birds" (from Avian influenza
(106): Americas (Canada, USA) mixed flocks, HPAI H5N1
http://promedmail.org/post/20220429.8702913).

"Because of the possible threat bird flu viruses pose to human health,
[it is important to conduct] research to learn more about these
viruses, for example, where they spread, how they spread, and what
kinds of disease they cause. This includes antigenic characterization,
antiviral resistance, genetic characterization, serology and
assessment of bird flu viruses' ability to cause disease and spread in
animal models. This information, coupled with disease surveillance
information, can help scientists better understand the risk these
viruses pose to human health"
(https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/risk-assessment-research.html).

Using the WHO animal-human interface review dated 14 Apr 2022, we
understand that most human cases were sporadic infections exposed to
A(H5) viruses through contact with infected poultry or contaminated
environments, including live poultry markets
(https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/influenza-at-the-human-animal-interface-summary-and-assessment-7-april-2021).
Since the viruses continue to be detected in animals and related
environments, further human cases can be expected.

Even though small clusters of A(H5) virus infections have been
reported previously, including those involving healthcare workers,
current epidemiological and virological evidence suggests that
influenza A(H5) viruses have not acquired the ability of sustained
transmission among humans; thus, the likelihood is low.

Strong surveillance is needed at the health facility level for cases
presenting with the respiratory illness and history of handling
poultry. With the COVID-19 pandemic far from over, this remains a
challenge and requires continued advocacy. Human infections with
microorganisms of animal origin must be suspected among the population
when human-animal interfacing is common. Surveillance for influenza
viruses both in poultry/animal and human population, together with
early laboratory confirmation of such viruses to detect antigenic
drift or shift conferring human-to-human transmission of these
viruses, is critical for a timely response to avoid any large-scale
public health event. The Avian Influenza Weekly Update issued by WHO
for Western Pacific Region is available at
https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/wpro---documents/emergency/surveillance/avian-influenza/ai_20220422.pdf.
- Mod.UBA

ProMED map:
United States: https://promedmail.org/promed-post?place=8702920,106]

[See Also:
Avian influenza (106): Americas (Canada, USA) mixed flocks, HPAI H5N1
http://promedmail.org/post/20220429.8702913
Avian influenza (103): Americas (Canada, USA) mixed flocks, HPAI H5N1
http://promedmail.org/post/20220427.8702870
Avian influenza (102): Americas (USA) wild birds, HPAI H5N1
http://promedmail.org/post/20220425.8702840
Avian influenza (100): Americas (Canada, USA) poultry, mixed flocks,
HPAI H5N1 http://promedmail.org/post/20220422.8702765
Avian influenza (98): Americas (Canada, USA) poultry, mixed flocks,
HPAI H5N1 http://promedmail.org/post/20220420.8702706
Avian influenza (97): Americas (USA) wild birds, die-off, susp
http://promedmail.org/post/20220418.8702687
Avian influenza (96): Americas (Canada, USA) poultry, mixed flocks,
HPAI H5N1 http://promedmail.org/post/20220416.8702664
Avian influenza (92): Americas (Canada, USA) wild bird, HPAI H5N1
http://promedmail.org/post/20220413.8702586
Avian influenza (90): Americas (Canada, USA) poultry, mixed flocks,
HPAI H5N1 http://promedmail.org/post/20220413.8702577
Avian influenza (88): Americas (Canada, USA) poultry, mixed flocks,
HPAI H5N1 http://promedmail.org/post/20220411.8702536
Avian influenza (87): Americas (USA) poultry, mixed flocks, HPAI H5N1
http://promedmail.org/post/20220409.8702501
Avian influenza (86): Americas (Canada) poultry, mixed flocks, HPAI
H5N1 http://promedmail.org/post/20220409.8702499
Avian influenza (84): Americas (Canada, USA) poultry, mixed flocks,
HPAI H5N1 http://promedmail.org/post/20220405.8702425
Avian influenza (83): Americas (Canada, USA) mixed flocks, HPAI H5N1
http://promedmail.org/post/20220403.8702369
Avian influenza (80): Americas (Canada, USA) poultry, mixed flocks,
HPAI H5N1
Avian influenza (76): Americas (USA) poultry, HPAI H5N1
http://promedmail.org/post/20220326.8702236
Avian influenza (70): Americas (USA) wild bird, HPAI H5N1
http://promedmail.org/post/20220320.8702088
Avian influenza (68): Americas (USA) mixed flocks, HPAI
http://promedmail.org/post/20220316.8702021
Avian influenza (65): Americas (Canada, USA) wild bird, HPAI H5N1
http://promedmail.org/post/20220311.8701931
Avian influenza (62): Americas (USA) poultry
http://promedmail.org/post/20220308.8701868
Avian influenza (53): Americas (USA) wild bird, poultry, HPAI H5N1
http://promedmail.org/post/20220225.8701648
Avian influenza (50): Americas (Canada, USA) poultry, mixed flock,
wild bird, HPAI http://promedmail.org/post/20220221.8701557
Avian influenza (40): Americas (USA) wild bird, HPAI H5N1
http://promedmail.org/post/20220210.8701387
Avian influenza (30): Americas (USA) wild bird
http://promedmail.org/post/20220201.8701178
Avian influenza (22): Americas (USA) wild bird, HPAI H5N1 Archive
Number: http://promedmail.org/post/20220120.8700990
Avian influenza (19): Americas (USA) wild bird, HPAI H5, OIE
http://promedmail.org/post/20220117.8700932
2020
----
Avian influenza (39): USA (SC) poultry, HPAI H7N3
http://promedmail.org/post/20200410.7206731
2017
----
Avian influenza (79): USA (TN): poultry, HPAI H7N9
http://promedmail.org/post/20170317.4908223
Avian influenza (78): USA poultry, (AL) H7, (TN) H7N9, both LPAI
http://promedmail.org/post/20170317.4906690
Avian influenza (71): USA (WI) turkey, HPAI H7N9
http://promedmail.org/post/20170311.4893871
Avian influenza (69): USA (TN) poultry, HPAI H7N9
http://promedmail.org/post/20170309.4888517
Avian influenza (67): USA (TN) poultry, HPAI H7, OIE
http://promedmail.org/post/20170307.4883078
Avian influenza (66): USA (TN) poultry, HPAI, H7
http://promedmail.org/post/20170305.4881365
2016
----
Avian influenza (15): USA (IN) poultry, HPAI & LPAI H7N8
http://promedmail.org/post/20160121.3953508
Avian influenza (11): USA (IN) poultry, HPAI/LPAI H7N8
http://promedmail.org/post/20160120.3950429
Avian influenza (08): USA (IN) poultry, HPAI revised to LPAI H7N8,
update http://promedmail.org/post/20160118.3944747
2015
----
Avian influenza (164): USA (GA) HPAI H5N2, poultry, proactive
prevention http://promedmail.org/post/20150620.3452030
Avian influenza (151): USA (MN, IA) HPAI H5N2, poultry
http://promedmail.org/post/20150606.3414670
Avian influenza (120): USA, HPAI H5N2, poultry, turkey
http://promedmail.org/post/20150510.3352747
Avian influenza (80): USA, HPAI H5N2, turkey, poultry
http://promedmail.org/post/20150415.3298419
Avian influenza (74): USA (MN, ND) HPAI H5N2, turkey
http://promedmail.org/post/20150412.3292191
Avian influenza (59): USA (MN): turkey, H5N2
http://promedmail.org/post/20150329.326408]
.................................................uba/tg/rd

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