Guidance for State and Local Health Departments for the Investigation of Human Infections with Novel Influenza A Viruses at the Animal-Human Interface

Details

• Corporate Authors:
  National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians (U.S.) ; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.) ; Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists. ; National Association of State Agriculture Officials ; United States. Department of Agriculture.
• Description:
  Revised: May 19, 2012
  
  One of the most important aspects of preparing for a pandemic is ensuring that procedures for a rapid and comprehensive response to newly emerging, novel influenza A viruses are in place. Timely investigation of human cases of novel influenza A virus infections is imperative for assessing the possible source of infection, identifying other persons at risk, determining whether human to human spread has occurred, limiting transmission to other persons and animals, and identifying viruses with pandemic potential against which vaccine candidates are needed. Early identification and sharing of novel influenza A viruses of potential public health concern will maximize the amount of time available to develop vaccine candidate viruses and for vaccine production, if needed. In addition timely collection of respiratory specimens will ensure appropriate characterization of the virus, including assessment for antiviral resistance, markers of virulence and properties that may confer efficient transmission among humans. Comprehensive field investigations, are the first steps to assessing the pandemic potential of a novel virus.
  
  A joint animal and human health investigation of potential animal sources and possible spread of novel influenza A viruses should be conducted as soon as possible after a laboratory‐confirmed human case of a novel or unsubtypeable influenza A infection is detected. Because of the transient nature of many animal populations and of influenza infections in those populations, it is imperative that public health officials coordinate case investigations promptly with state animal, environmental and wildlife health officials. It is therefore vital to have good working relationships in place prior to any investigations among public, domestic animal, environmental and wildlife health agencies and officials. Every attempt should also be made to incorporate exercises for both human and animal health personnel into pandemic planning.
  
  This document provides non‐regulatory guidance for state and local health department staff conducting epidemiologic investigations of human infections and illness associated with influenza A viruses that are novel in humans and that are, or are suspected to be, associated with animal exposure. The goal of these investigations is to reduce human morbidity and mortality through the understanding of risk factors and application of appropriate, timely intervention measures.
  
  The development of this document was a joint collaborative effort and it has been reviewed by subject matter experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, the National Association of State Agriculture Officials, the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, and the United States Department of Agriculture.
  
  NASPHVJointGuidanceOnNovelFluResponse2012.pdf
  
  
• Subjects:
  Influenza, Human Influenza A Virus Influenza In Birds Pandemics/prevention & Control Swine Viral Zoonoses
• Document Type:
  Pamphlet (or booklet)
• Pages in Document:
  13 numbered pages
• Collection(s):
  Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:e787ed73855657ee52d8dc7fcf2bc46b7522714d9350ae2b470855fb6ac465c7
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/157530/cdc_157530_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 221.39 KB ]