https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/avian-in...more-dairy-workers-californias-central-valley
Avian flu infects 2 more dairy workers in California's Central Valley
Lisa Schnirring
Today at 2:44 p.m.
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
Earlier this week, Merced County, in the Central Valley, reported its first human H5N1 avian flu case, which involves a person who had direct exposure to sick cattle on a dairy farm. It's not clear if the case is reflected in California's latest total.
In a statement, the county said the case was detected based on symptoms, with results confirmed by lab tests. All people who were exposed to the cattle have been notified and are being monitored for symptoms.
The newly confirmed California cases raise the US number of human H5 infections this year to 27, which doesn't yet include four presumptive positive cases reported in poultry workers in Washington state.
Meanwhile, US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed one more H5N1 outbreak in a California dairy herd, raising the state's total to 134.
Quest Diagnostics to introduce H5 avian flu test
In other H5 developments, Quest Diagnostics today announced that the CDC has awarded it several contracts to support testing and lab readiness for H5 avian flu and Oropouche virus, a vectorborne illness that is expanding its reach in the Americas.
The H5 molecular test is intended for use in people with suspected infections and will be available with a prescription from a healthcare provider by the end of the month. The test is designed to identify the H5 avian flu virus, but not seasonal flu strains or other respiratory viruses. The test uses respiratory or conjunctival specimens.
Currently, commercial labs don't do H5 subtyping, which requires that the samples be sent to state or local public health labs or to the CDC for avian influenza identification. "With the introduction of the new Quest test this month, physicians can now order testing from a national commercial laboratory, increasing access and testing capacity, should testing need increase," the company said in its statement.
Avian flu infects 2 more dairy workers in California's Central Valley
Lisa Schnirring
Today at 2:44 p.m.
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) today reported two more H5 avian influenza infections, both confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), raising the state's total to 15.Earlier this week, Merced County, in the Central Valley, reported its first human H5N1 avian flu case, which involves a person who had direct exposure to sick cattle on a dairy farm. It's not clear if the case is reflected in California's latest total.
In a statement, the county said the case was detected based on symptoms, with results confirmed by lab tests. All people who were exposed to the cattle have been notified and are being monitored for symptoms.
The newly confirmed California cases raise the US number of human H5 infections this year to 27, which doesn't yet include four presumptive positive cases reported in poultry workers in Washington state.
Meanwhile, US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed one more H5N1 outbreak in a California dairy herd, raising the state's total to 134.
Quest Diagnostics to introduce H5 avian flu test
In other H5 developments, Quest Diagnostics today announced that the CDC has awarded it several contracts to support testing and lab readiness for H5 avian flu and Oropouche virus, a vectorborne illness that is expanding its reach in the Americas.
The H5 molecular test is intended for use in people with suspected infections and will be available with a prescription from a healthcare provider by the end of the month. The test is designed to identify the H5 avian flu virus, but not seasonal flu strains or other respiratory viruses. The test uses respiratory or conjunctival specimens.
Currently, commercial labs don't do H5 subtyping, which requires that the samples be sent to state or local public health labs or to the CDC for avian influenza identification. "With the introduction of the new Quest test this month, physicians can now order testing from a national commercial laboratory, increasing access and testing capacity, should testing need increase," the company said in its statement.