CDC Urges Faster Testing to Find Human Bird Flu Cases
Guidance for Labs to Determine Flu Type Within 24 Hours
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has 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.
Slow Testing Process Hinders Investigations
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. By the time those results come back, patients have often already been sent home, said Dr. Nirav Shah, the CDC’s principal deputy director.
Delayed Testing Hinders Investigations
“That could hinder bird flu investigations,” Shah said. “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 added.
CDC’s New Guidance
The CDC’s latest 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.
Seasonal Flu Activity High in the U.S.
The CDC’s messaging comes when seasonal flu activity is extremely high in the U.S. The virus is spreading in most states, especially in Louisiana, New Mexico, Oregon, and Tennessee.
What’s the Difference Between Seasonal Flu and Bird Flu?
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. The way to determine what subtype of flu A a person has is through a lab with more specialized equipment. Most tests used in doctors’ offices only show whether a person has flu A or B.
Expert’s Perspective
“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 of Infection Remains Low
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.
Conclusion
The CDC’s new guidance aims to accelerate the testing process to identify human cases of bird flu more quickly. This increased effort will help investigators track the spread of the virus and potentially identify any human-human transmission.
FAQs
Q: What is the CDC’s new guidance on testing for bird flu?
A: The CDC is urging labs to determine within 24 hours of admission whether people hospitalized with the flu have seasonal influenza or are infected with the bird flu.
Q: Why is the CDC urging faster testing?
A: The CDC wants to accelerate the testing process to identify human cases of bird flu more quickly, which will help investigators track the spread of the virus and potentially identify any human-human transmission.
Q: What is the risk of being infected with bird flu?
A: 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.
