Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
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Avian flu: what are the right reflexes to face the risk of exposure?
Faced with the current dynamic of the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses in Europe and France, Public Health France recalls preventive measures to avoid the risk of transmission of avian influenza viruses to humans.
Published on January 2, 2024
Since October 2021, Europe has suffered the largest highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) epizootic ever known , due to H5Nx viruses (almost exclusively H5N1) from clade 2.3.4.4b. Since the fall, we have also observed a new dynamic in the spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI) in migratory wildlife (greylag geese and barnacles in particular) but also in poultry and bird farms. captives.
In France, after a lull of several months on poultry farms, several outbreaks on poultry farms have been detected since the end of November 2023, leading the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty to raise the level of epizootic risk to its maximum. with respect to HPAI, thus making it possible to strengthen surveillance of virus transmission and preventive measures to protect poultry farms . This situation calls for increased vigilance among people exposed to these viruses as well as the various animal and human health stakeholders.
What is avian influenza?
Avian influenza is an animal disease, caused by influenza viruses, which affect many species of birds. These diseases can sometimes be transmitted to other species, including humans and many species of wild or domestic mammals. However, transmission of these viruses to humans remains a rare phenomenon and none of the avian influenza viruses currently known is capable of initiating sustained human-to-human transmission.
What is the purpose of monitoring human cases of avian influenza?
For several years, Public Health France has implemented surveillance of human cases of zoonotic influenza . This surveillance is based on the monitoring of clinical suspicions of influenza of avian or swine origin reported by health professionals. Its objective is to:
In terms of prevention, Public Health France, in conjunction with several partners (DGS, DGAL, Anses, Mutuelle Sociale Agricole and French Biodiversity Office), has also developed an information leaflet on avian and swine flu recalling how these viruses are transmitted, how to avoid being contaminated, and what to do in the event of risky exposure, particularly in the event of the appearance of symptoms. The leaflet is available for download and ordering.
Preventing the risk of transmission of avian influenza viruses to humans is based on the wearing of personal protective equipment when handling sick or dead birds (watertight gloves, protective glasses, FFP2 masks), as well as on the all biosecurity measures when an outbreak occurs ( Consult the leaflet from the Ministry of Agriculture ).
In the current context of circulation of human, avian and swine influenza viruses on the national territory, it is appropriate to recall the importance of vaccination against seasonal influenza for professionals exposed to avian and swine viruses in order to limit the risk of reassortments between human and animal influenza viruses.
Learn more:
European situation of avian influenza
https://www.santepubliquefrance.fr/...les-bons-reflexes-face-au-risque-d-exposition
Avian flu: what are the right reflexes to face the risk of exposure?
Faced with the current dynamic of the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses in Europe and France, Public Health France recalls preventive measures to avoid the risk of transmission of avian influenza viruses to humans.
Published on January 2, 2024
Since October 2021, Europe has suffered the largest highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) epizootic ever known , due to H5Nx viruses (almost exclusively H5N1) from clade 2.3.4.4b. Since the fall, we have also observed a new dynamic in the spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI) in migratory wildlife (greylag geese and barnacles in particular) but also in poultry and bird farms. captives.
In France, after a lull of several months on poultry farms, several outbreaks on poultry farms have been detected since the end of November 2023, leading the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty to raise the level of epizootic risk to its maximum. with respect to HPAI, thus making it possible to strengthen surveillance of virus transmission and preventive measures to protect poultry farms . This situation calls for increased vigilance among people exposed to these viruses as well as the various animal and human health stakeholders.
What is avian influenza?
Avian influenza is an animal disease, caused by influenza viruses, which affect many species of birds. These diseases can sometimes be transmitted to other species, including humans and many species of wild or domestic mammals. However, transmission of these viruses to humans remains a rare phenomenon and none of the avian influenza viruses currently known is capable of initiating sustained human-to-human transmission.
What is the purpose of monitoring human cases of avian influenza?
For several years, Public Health France has implemented surveillance of human cases of zoonotic influenza . This surveillance is based on the monitoring of clinical suspicions of influenza of avian or swine origin reported by health professionals. Its objective is to:
- detect as early as possible any symptomatic case of influenza of avian or swine origin in humans in order to implement appropriate medical care and investigations as quickly as possible to reduce the risk of transmission to other people (isolation of confirmed cases and investigation of contact persons and co-exposed persons);
- describe and characterize human cases of infection by an avian or swine influenza virus.
In terms of prevention, Public Health France, in conjunction with several partners (DGS, DGAL, Anses, Mutuelle Sociale Agricole and French Biodiversity Office), has also developed an information leaflet on avian and swine flu recalling how these viruses are transmitted, how to avoid being contaminated, and what to do in the event of risky exposure, particularly in the event of the appearance of symptoms. The leaflet is available for download and ordering.
Preventing the risk of transmission of avian influenza viruses to humans is based on the wearing of personal protective equipment when handling sick or dead birds (watertight gloves, protective glasses, FFP2 masks), as well as on the all biosecurity measures when an outbreak occurs ( Consult the leaflet from the Ministry of Agriculture ).
In the current context of circulation of human, avian and swine influenza viruses on the national territory, it is appropriate to recall the importance of vaccination against seasonal influenza for professionals exposed to avian and swine viruses in order to limit the risk of reassortments between human and animal influenza viruses.
Learn more:
European situation of avian influenza
- Weekly international health monitoring bulletins from 05/12/2023
- European Center for Disease Prevention and Control
https://www.santepubliquefrance.fr/...les-bons-reflexes-face-au-risque-d-exposition