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Avian flu: towards strengthening human surveillance to early detect any transmission to humans
Faced with the current dynamic of the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses in Europe and France, Public Health France is strengthening its surveillance in order to early detect any cases of transmission of these viruses to humans.
Published on January 19, 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 preventive measures to protect poultry farms . In this context and in view of the current context in Europe and France, so-called “active” surveillance of cases of avian influenza for people exposed to an outbreak of HPAI is being tested in four regions in order to detect any transmission early. from animals to humans This situation calls for increased vigilance among people exposed to these viruses as well as the various stakeholders in animal and human health.
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.
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 (so-called “passive” surveillance) reported by health professionals. Its objective is to:
Preventing the risk of transmission of avian influenza viruses to humans
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 ( see 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/...recocement-toute-transmission-a-l-etre-humain
Avian flu: towards strengthening human surveillance to early detect any transmission to humans
Faced with the current dynamic of the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses in Europe and France, Public Health France is strengthening its surveillance in order to early detect any cases of transmission of these viruses to humans.
Published on January 19, 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 preventive measures to protect poultry farms . In this context and in view of the current context in Europe and France, so-called “active” surveillance of cases of avian influenza for people exposed to an outbreak of HPAI is being tested in four regions in order to detect any transmission early. from animals to humans This situation calls for increased vigilance among people exposed to these viruses as well as the various stakeholders in animal and human health.
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.
- Learn more about bird flu
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 (so-called “passive” surveillance) 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.
SAGA: a reinforced surveillance system
In addition to 'routine' surveillance, the current context of avian influenza in France and internationally has prompted the strengthening of surveillance of these viruses in conjunction with animal health stakeholders. Public Health France has therefore developed, in conjunction with the Ministry of Health and Prevention , the General Directorate of Food (DGAL), the National Reference Center (CNR) Respiratory Infection Viruses and the National Security Agency health of food, environment and work (ANSES), a so-called “active” surveillance protocol called SAGA (for Active Surveillance of Avian Influenza). This protocol aims to early detect cases of zoonotic transmission from animals to humans to better understand them, and thus reduce the risks for exposed people and limit their spread. People who have been exposed to an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) confirmed on a farm (including asymptomatic people) are asked to answer a few questions about their exposures and take a nasopharyngeal swab.
This system is set up in the form of a pilot experiment lasting 4 months in four regions, Brittany, Pays de la Loire, Occitanie and Nouvelle-Aquitaine and aims in particular to assess the feasibility and relevance of this type surveillance in the national context.
A prioritization of outbreaks to be investigated will be carried out by the health authorities, in conjunction with animal health stakeholders. For people not investigated, they will be recommended to monitor their health for 10 days following the last exposure to the home. Two outbreaks have been investigated since the start of the pilot in early December with good support from those exposed. All people tested were negative for avian influenza.
In addition to 'routine' surveillance, the current context of avian influenza in France and internationally has prompted the strengthening of surveillance of these viruses in conjunction with animal health stakeholders. Public Health France has therefore developed, in conjunction with the Ministry of Health and Prevention , the General Directorate of Food (DGAL), the National Reference Center (CNR) Respiratory Infection Viruses and the National Security Agency health of food, environment and work (ANSES), a so-called “active” surveillance protocol called SAGA (for Active Surveillance of Avian Influenza). This protocol aims to early detect cases of zoonotic transmission from animals to humans to better understand them, and thus reduce the risks for exposed people and limit their spread. People who have been exposed to an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) confirmed on a farm (including asymptomatic people) are asked to answer a few questions about their exposures and take a nasopharyngeal swab.
This system is set up in the form of a pilot experiment lasting 4 months in four regions, Brittany, Pays de la Loire, Occitanie and Nouvelle-Aquitaine and aims in particular to assess the feasibility and relevance of this type surveillance in the national context.
A prioritization of outbreaks to be investigated will be carried out by the health authorities, in conjunction with animal health stakeholders. For people not investigated, they will be recommended to monitor their health for 10 days following the last exposure to the home. Two outbreaks have been investigated since the start of the pilot in early December with good support from those exposed. All people tested were negative for avian influenza.
- Find out more about the SAGA system
Preventing the risk of transmission of avian influenza viruses to humans
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 ( see 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/...recocement-toute-transmission-a-l-etre-humain