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PAHO Epidemiological Alert: Human Cases of Avian Influenza A(H5N1) in the Americas Region - 3 December 2024
#18,460
Overnight PAHO (the Pan American Health Organization) issued a strongly worded, and quite detailed, 20-page epidemiological alert on the growing number of human H5N1 cases in the United States, urging that Member states `. . . ensure preparedness for a potential influenza pandemic at all levels (14, 15).'
Of growing concern is the detection of at least 3 `community' cases (California, Missouri, British Columbia) where no known risk exposure has been determined, along with roughly 5 dozen cases (if you include retrospectively detected cases) with known contact to infected livestock.
This PAHO Alert is primarily a technical document for Member States with guidance on how to prepare for human cases. Sections include:
While technical, many will want to download and review the full document.
Despite assurances from American officials that the risks to the general public remain `low', we are seeing growing international concern over the escalation of avian flu activity in North America over the past few months.
Yesterday the UK announced the purchase of 5 million doses of H5 vaccine, last week Hong Kong held a major H5N1 exercise, two weeks ago the ECDC released a Guide To
Revising The Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan, and over the summer both South Korea and Japan issued revised pandemic plans.
Admittedly, no one can predict what will happen with H5N1 (or any other novel virus), but recent events suggest the risks are rising. Which is why, less than a week ago I posted a blog (see A Personal Pre-Pandemic Plan) on what individuals can reasonably do during these uncertain times to prepare.
Hopefully, none of these preps will be needed. But hope is not a plan.
#18,460
Overnight PAHO (the Pan American Health Organization) issued a strongly worded, and quite detailed, 20-page epidemiological alert on the growing number of human H5N1 cases in the United States, urging that Member states `. . . ensure preparedness for a potential influenza pandemic at all levels (14, 15).'
Of growing concern is the detection of at least 3 `community' cases (California, Missouri, British Columbia) where no known risk exposure has been determined, along with roughly 5 dozen cases (if you include retrospectively detected cases) with known contact to infected livestock.
This PAHO Alert is primarily a technical document for Member States with guidance on how to prepare for human cases. Sections include:
- Clinical management
- Surveillance of human cases
- Laboratory diagnosis of human cases of influenza A(H5N1)
- Response to human cases
- Sequencing and genomic surveillance
- Prevention measures in humans
- Vaccination against in the context of avian influenza
While technical, many will want to download and review the full document.
Despite assurances from American officials that the risks to the general public remain `low', we are seeing growing international concern over the escalation of avian flu activity in North America over the past few months.
Yesterday the UK announced the purchase of 5 million doses of H5 vaccine, last week Hong Kong held a major H5N1 exercise, two weeks ago the ECDC released a Guide To
Revising The Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan, and over the summer both South Korea and Japan issued revised pandemic plans.
Admittedly, no one can predict what will happen with H5N1 (or any other novel virus), but recent events suggest the risks are rising. Which is why, less than a week ago I posted a blog (see A Personal Pre-Pandemic Plan) on what individuals can reasonably do during these uncertain times to prepare.
Hopefully, none of these preps will be needed. But hope is not a plan.