The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Health Advisory recommending that clinicians and laboratories expedite subtyping of influenza A positive specimens from hospitalized patients, especially those in the ICU. In alignment with this CDC guidance, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LAC DPH) is enhancing surveillance measures for avian influenza (H5N1), otherwise known as H5 bird flu, to ensure timely identification and response to potential human infections.
All hospitalized patients suspected of having influenza should be tested within 24 hours of admission using a diagnostic test capable of providing influenza subtyping. For facilities without subtyping capabilities, testing can be ordered through a commercial laboratory. The Los Angeles County Public Health Laboratory (PHL) is able to offer influenza A subtyping for ICU patients for Los Angeles County facilities without subtyping capabilities.
Clinicians should assess patients for H5 bird flu risk factors and notify the LAC DPH immediately in H5 bird flu is suspected. Influenza A specimens from such patients should be tested for H5 bird flu in consultation with LAC DPH, either through PHL or alternatively, a commercial laboratory that performs H5 bird flu specific testing.
