HHS Extends Pandemic Influenza A Viruses in PH Declaration

The Secretary of HHS amended the existing determination of significant potential for a public health emergency to extend from avian influenza A (H79N) virus to include pandemic influenza A viruses and influenza A viruses with pandemic potential. Although the risk to human health remains low, this would include the HPAI A(H5N1) influenza virus currently circulating among some dairy cattle in the US. This declaration justifies emergency use of medical countermeasures. Read the HHS notice.