CDC Urges Faster Testing to Find Human Bird Flu Cases
Lab Testing Delayed, Hindering Investigation
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday urged labs nationwide to determine within 24 hours of admission whether people hospitalized with the flu have seasonal influenza or are infected with the bird flu that’s behind an escalating outbreak in dairy cows and poultry.
The guidance for labs to do this type of testing has been in place since last fall, but the process has been slow, with many hospitals sending flu samples out for testing in bulk every few days.
Consequences of Delayed Testing
By the time those results come back, patients have often already been sent home, according to Dr. Nirav Shah, the CDC’s principal deputy director, who spoke during a media briefing on Thursday.
That could hinder bird flu investigations. As days and weeks pass, it would be difficult for people to recall where they may have been exposed to the virus.
“The more time that goes by, the more memories fade and the harder it is to identify a potential source,” Shah said. What’s more, “their close contacts may be beyond the window for preventative medications like Tamiflu.”
New Guidelines
The latest CDC alert says testing for bird flu should move more quickly, ideally within 24 hours of a person’s hospital admission.
“The system right now tells us what has already happened. What we need is to shift to a system that tells us what’s happening in the moment,” Shah said.
Background and Context
The CDC’s messaging comes as seasonal flu activity is extremely high in the U.S., with the virus spreading in most states, especially in Louisiana, New Mexico, Oregon, and Tennessee.
The new guidance only applies to patients with influenza A. The bird flu, H5N1, is a subtype of flu A. However, nearly all seasonal flu going around right now is also flu A, particularly the H3N2 and H1N1 subtypes.
Expert Opinion
“It’s a move in the right direction,” said Dr. Alex Greninger, a professor of laboratory medicine and pathology at University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle. “It will help illuminate the current landscape of disease, and potentially pave the way for the identification of any human-human transmission that may be occurring.”
Risk Assessment
The risk of being infected with bird flu remains elevated among people who work closely with dairy cattle, poultry, and wild birds. For the general population, the bird flu threat remains low. There has been no indication that the virus is spreading from person to person.
In fact, of more than 83,000 flu samples tested within the past year, just three cases were detected.
Conclusion
The increased effort to test for bird flu within 24 hours of admission is a necessary step to better understand the current situation and potentially identify cases of human-human transmission. While the risk to the general population remains low, it is essential to be proactive in monitoring and responding to this emerging public health threat.
FAQs
* What is the current situation with bird flu in the US?
The CDC has reported an escalating outbreak in dairy cows and poultry, with a risk of human infection, especially among those who work closely with these animals.
* How is the CDC urging labs to handle testing?
The CDC is urging labs to test for bird flu within 24 hours of a person’s hospital admission, rather than waiting for test results to come back, which can take days or weeks.
* What is the current risk to the general population?
The risk of being infected with bird flu remains low, with no indication of person-to-person transmission.
* How many cases of bird flu have been reported in the US?
As of the latest report, there have been 67 human cases of bird flu reported in the US, with only one death.
