Forwarded by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
Forwarded by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
CDC Health Advisory
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus: Identification of Human Infection and Recommendations for Investigations and Response
April 5, 2024
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued a Health Advisory regarding a recently confirmed human infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus in the United States following exposure to presumably infected dairy cattle. There have been no previous reports of the spread of HPAI viruses from cows to humans. In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently reported detections of HPAI A(H5N1) virus in U.S. dairy cattle in multiple states.
These are the first known infections of HPAI A(H5N1) in cattle and only the second human case ever reported in the U.S. CDC believes the current risk these viruses pose to the public is low. However, people with job-related or recreational exposures to infected birds, cattle, or other animals are at higher risk of infection and should take appropriate precautions.
Clinicians should consider the possibility of HPAI A(H5N1) virus infection in people showing signs or symptoms of acute respiratory illness or conjunctivitis and who have relevant exposure history as outlined in CDC guidelines and summarized in today’s Health Advisory.
This is a developing situation, and CDC will provide updates as new information becomes available.
Providers should contact Public Health immediately if they have a patient with possible HPAI A(H5N1) virus infection.
Los Angeles County DPH Acute Communicable Disease Control:
  • Weekdays 8:30 am–5:00 pm: call 213-240-7941.
  • After-hours: call 213-974-1234 and ask for the physician on call.
Long Beach Health and Human Services:
  • Weekdays 8:00 am-5:00 pm: call 562-570-4302.
  • After hours: call the duty officer at 562-500-5537.
Pasadena Public Health Department:
  • Weekdays 8:00 am-5:00 pm: call 626-744-6089.  
  • After hours: call 626-744-6043.
Read the CDC Health Advisory
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