Prevention and Treatment of Avian Influenza A Viruses in People

The Best Prevention is to Avoid Sources of Exposure

Currently, the best way to prevent infection with avian influenza A viruses is to avoid sources of exposure whenever possible. Most human infections with avian influenza A viruses have occurred following direct close or prolonged contact with sick or dead infected poultry.

People who work with poultry or who respond to avian influenza outbreaks are advised to follow recommended biosecurity and infection control practices; these include use of appropriate personal protective equipment and careful attention to hand hygiene. In addition, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) poultry outbreak responders should adhere to guidance from CDC and World Health Organization (WHO) and receive seasonal influenza vaccination annually and take prophylactic antiviral medication during response. They should also be monitored for illness during and after responding to HPAI outbreaks among poultry. Responders to low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) outbreaks should also consider this guidance as part of their response plan. Seasonal influenza vaccination will not prevent infection with avian influenza A viruses, but can reduce the risk of co-infection with human and avian influenza A viruses.

Antiviral Drugs Can Be Used to Treat Illness

For treatment (and prevention) of human infection with avian influenza A viruses, CDC and WHO currently recommend oseltamivir or zanamivir, two of four prescription antiviral medications currently licensed for use in the United States.

In particular, analyses of available HPAI H5N1 viruses circulating worldwide suggest that most viruses are susceptible to oseltamivir and zanamivir. However, some evidence of resistance to oseltamivir has been reported in HPAI H5N1 viruses isolated from some human HPAI H5N1 cases. Monitoring for antiviral resistance among avian influenza A viruses is crucial and ongoing, and data directly inform antiviral treatment recommendations.

The U.S. Government is Stockpiling H5N1 Vaccine for People in Case Its Needed

The United States federal government maintains a stockpile of H5N1 vaccine. The stockpiled vaccine could be used if a H5N1 virus begins transmitting easily from person to person.

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