Avian Influenza
APIC Avian Influenza Playbook
About Avian Flu
- Avian Influenza is caused by infection with avian influenza A viruses (such as H5N1, H7N9)
- The disease primarily affects wild and domesticated birds, often causing severe illness and death
- Although bird flu viruses do not typically infect humans, rare cases of illness in humans have occurred after direct or indirect exposure to infected birds, animals, or contaminated environments
- Human H5N1 cases historically have had a high mortality rate (50-60% worldwide)
- Most human cases are linked to direct contact with infected poultry, dairy cattle, or wild birds (animal-to-human)
- Contact with contaminated surfaces, raw or undercooked poultry, meat, or unpasteurized milk can result in (environmental exposure)
- Sustained person-to-person transmission has not been observed. However, isolated mutations in virus samples from humans show potential for adaptation (human-to-human)
- Incubation Period: 2 to 8 days, but can extend to 17 days
- Influenza-like illness
- First identified in the late 1990s outbreak in poultry and humans in Asia
- H5N1 has since become enzootic in wild birds, causing reated poultry outbreaks across Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America
- The United States last detected Avian Influenza in 2022. Where H5N1 was detected in wild birds, commercial poultry flocks, dairy herds, and some mammalian species across multiple states
- Avian influenza remains widespread in wild birds globally
- Avian Influenza A viruses have been found in raw milk and raw meat products in the United States, creating additional exposure risks
Current Situation
- January 2025: CDC confirmed >60 human cases since April 2024, with 1 associated death; most linked to dairy herds, poultry farms, or wild bird exposure
- December 2024: First severe human H5N1 case in the United States. Viral mutations observed within the case but not transmissible between humans
- November 2024: Teen hospitalized in Canada
- Click here for the most current information regarding Avian Influenza
Avian Influenza is an emerging infectious disease with pandemic potential. Infection preventionists should ensure their facility is prepared with a plan that includes:
- Rapid screening and identification of at-risk individuals
- Transmission-based precautions for suspected or confirmed cases
- Effective environmental disinfection strategies
- Training and drills to ensure readiness
- Facility planning, including triage zones, waste handling, and lab processes
APIC Resources and Tools
Click here to download the APIC Avian Influenza Playbook
- Developed by the APIC Emerging Infectious Diseases Task Force to help infection preventionists rapidly activate Avian Influenza prevention efforts
- The playbook is a concise workflow document that is designed to be user-friendly and operational for busy IPs.
Click here to download the Key Points an Infection Preventionist Needs to Know about Avian Influenza
- APIC’s key points document summarizes recognition, prevention, and mitigation strategies tailored for IPs by IPs
Click Here to access the APIC Text – Chapter 82: Influenza
- Chapter 82 of the APIC Text provides comprehensive guidance for an infection preventionist on Influenza
- Chapter 118 of the APIC Text provides comprehensive guidance for an infection preventionist on strategies to handle Infectious Disease Disasters