Situation Report: October 20, 2023: H5N1

On the NETEC Situation Report for October 20, 2023, Dr. Syra Madad, a NETEC expert and infectious disease epidemiologist at NYC Health + Hospitals, provides an update on the latest cases of H5N1.
1. Last week, Cambodia reported two fatal cases of human infection with H5N1 avian influenza. The infected patients lived in two different provinces, and both infections likely resulted from exposure to infected poultry. There is no indication of person-to-person spread, however close contacts of both patients, including potentially exposed health care workers, are being monitored closely. Two previous cases were reported in February 2023 in Cambodia.
2. Nearly all reported human infections with H5N1 have had recent exposure to sick or dead poultry. Rare, limited, and non-sustained person-to-person transmission has occurred, likely due to prolonged unprotected close exposure to symptomatic persons. Because of the potential for influenza viruses to rapidly evolve and the global prevalence of H5N1 viruses in wild birds and poultry, continued sporadic human infections are anticipated.
3. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has assessed the current risk to the public as low, health care personnel should follow CDC recommendations for patient evaluation, treatment, testing guidance, and infection control precautions for suspected or confirmed patients with H5N1.
To learn more about H5N1, read the NETEC blog and find health care-related resources at netec.org.