BC Center For Disease Control: Chapter I – Management of Specific Diseases I Interim H5N1 Avian Influenza Outbreak September 2025

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1.0 SITUATION .................................................. .................................................. ................. 2

2.0 BACKGROUND .................................................. .................................................. .......... 2

3.0 IMPACT OF AVIAN INFLUENZA ON HUMAN HEALTH ................................................ 3

3.1 Human Case Definitions .................................................. ............................................ 4

3.2 Transmission to the Human Population .................................................. ...................... 4

3.3 Incubation Period .................................................. .................................................. ..... 5

3.4 Communicability .................................................. .................................................. ...... 5

3.5 Communicable Period in Human Cases .................................................. ..................... 5

3.6 4.0 Signs and Symptoms .................................................. ................................................. 6

RESPONSE TO AVIAN INFLUENZA IN BIRDS AND OTHER LIVESTOCK .................. 6

5.0 MANAGEMENT OF EXPOSURE TO AN AVIAN SOURCE ............................................ 7

5.1 5.2 5.3 Human Exposure (Contact) Management .................................................. .................. 7

Management of Asymptomatic Exposed Individuals .................................................. .. 8

Management of Symptomatic Exposed Individuals .................................................. .... 8

5.4 Exposure Risk Assessment .................................................. ....................................... 9

5.5 Antiviral Prophylaxis and Treatment .................................................. ..........................10

5.6 Testing .................................................. .................................................. ....................12

5.7 Infection Control .................................................. .................................................. ......13

5.8 Personal Protective Equipment .................................................. .................................13

5.8.1 5.8.2 PPE in a Farm Setting .................................................. .......................................13

PPE in a Healthcare Setting .................................................. ...............................14

6.0 REPORTING AND TIMELINES .................................................. ...................................14

6.1 Animal Cases .................................................. .................................................. ..........14

6.2 Human Cases .................................................. .................................................. .........14

6.3 Public Education .................................................. .................................................. .....14

7.0 REFERENCES .................................................. .................................................. ...........16

8.0 APPENDIX 1: Self-monitoring considerations .................................................. ..........19
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1.0 SITUATION

The purpose of this document is to provide public health officials with guidance on the management of human exposures to avian influenza in birds or animals or suspected human cases of avian influenza, notably highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 or H5N2 reassortment viruses.

The guidance is based on the Human Health Issues related to Avian Influenza in Canada1 and updated to reflect guidance on the current circulating strains. This guidance will be modified and updated as the situation or the virus evolves.
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Continued: https://www.bccdc.ca/resource-galle...im-Guidelines-H5N1-Outbreak_updateSEP2025.pdf

 

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2025
New research prepares for future threat of avian influenza

​BCCDC scientists received research funding to advance response to avian influenza


Scientists with the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) received new research funding to better understand how the avian influenza virus changes as it spreads in animals and people and prepare tools that can be rolled out to support the province’s response to the threat.

Funded by Genome British Columbia and the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR), the research brings together BCCDC, the University of British Columbia (UBC), the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the Office of the Provincial Health Officer, and Ministry of Health and is based on a One Health approach that considers the health of animals, humans and environment.

"Monitoring and understanding Avian influenza H5N1 is crucial for preventing its spillover into the human population and mitigating its impact on the poultry and cattle industries," says Dr. Naveed Janjua, director of the University of British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (UBC CDC). "Scientists at BCCDC are at the forefront of this effort, developing tools and systems to monitor the virus and reduce its impact. I would like to thank Genome BC, CIHR, and Mitacs for their current support and previous investments, which have enabled us to establish a system for ongoing monitoring of pathogens with pandemic potential. This current funding helps us better prepare for an avian influenza response."
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H5 research projects

The H5N1 Unified Bioresponse (HUB) includes four projects and was awarded $746,971 from Genome BC:​

Continued: https://www.bccdc.ca/about/news-stories/stories/2025/research-avian-influenza